Senator Bill Hagerty recently appeared on “Sunday Morning Futures” with host Maria Bartiromo to discuss the SAVE Act, legislation that would require voters to present identification for federal elections. During the interview, Hagerty emphasized the bill’s significance and the widespread support it enjoys among Americans.
“The House on Wednesday passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or the SAVE Act, in a vote of 218 to 213,” Bartiromo noted. This close margin reflects a contentious debate, especially as the bill now moves to the Senate. Democrats plan to use the filibuster to block it, despite reports suggesting that Republicans have secured at least 51 votes. Bartiromo pressed Hagerty on whether he believed Senate Majority Whip John Thune would bring the SAVE Act to the floor.
Hagerty expressed strong appreciation for Republican Senator Susan Collins joining the effort. “I want to first of all applaud Susan Collins for coming on board,” he said, underscoring the importance of her support in achieving the necessary votes.
The senator detailed why he believes voter ID laws resonate with the American public. “The American public are broadly in support of showing voter ID. It’s at north of 80 percent for the American public,” he stated emphatically. Hagerty highlighted a significant disconnect within the Senate, noting that over 70 percent of Democrats back voter ID laws, yet none have voiced their support for the act. “They are so detached from reality, it’s just amazing,” he remarked, showcasing his view that Democrats are out of touch with public sentiment.
Further, he outlined the straightforward premise of the SAVE Act: it would require individuals to demonstrate their citizenship to vote, a measure already in place in Tennessee, Hagerty’s home state. “What the SAVE Act does is very simple,” he explained. “It simply requires what we require here in my home state of Tennessee.”
Hagerty attributed the Democrats’ opposition to a broader agenda linked to immigration policies that allow millions of undocumented immigrants to enter the country. He framed their resistance as part of an intention to create disorder within the electoral process. “They want chaos in the elections. They want no voter ID,” he said, presenting a stark portrayal of the current political landscape regarding voter integrity.
The senator also discussed the complexities of the legislative process, including the potential use of a talking filibuster, an approach that has not been utilized in some time. He asserted, “We are going to look at every way we possibly can to get this to the floor to defeat the Democrat’s obstructionism.” This commitment to finding pathways to advance the bill illustrates the determined stance he and his party hold toward legislation they see as essential.
In closing, Hagerty argued that implementing voter ID requirements would bolster public confidence in the electoral system. “I think what we will have, if we actually implement it, is a higher turnout in elections because people will have more confidence that the election and their vote is gonna be sacred, it’s gonna be safe and we are gonna have voter integrity,” he concluded, encapsulating his vision for the future of American elections.
This lively discussion underscores the urgency lawmakers feel about voter ID legislation while revealing the broader political tensions surrounding election integrity today. As the SAVE Act moves forward, all eyes remain on the Senate’s next steps and how they will affect the American electorate.
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