Republican bill requiring proof of citizenship for voting passes US House
Watch live as House Republicans take up one of President Donald Trump’s top election-related priorities, legislation that would require proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.
By LISA MASCARO, CHRISTINA A. CASSIDY and CHRISTINE FERNANDO Updated 11:55 AM PDT, April 10, 2025
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House passed one of Republicans’ signature issues for the year on Thursday, approving legislation to require proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote for federal elections, one of President Donald Trump’s top election-related priorities. Nearly all Democrats lined up against the bill and warned that it risks disenfranchising millions of Americans who do not have ready access to the proper documents.
Trump has long signaled a desire to change how elections are run in the U.S. and last month issued a sweeping executive order that included a citizenship requirement among other election-related changes.
Republicans argued the legislation, known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, is necessary to ensure only citizens vote in U.S. elections and would cement Trump’s order into law.
