The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for March 26, 2026
March 22nd, President Donald Trump tied ending the partial government shutdown to passage of the GOP’s draconian voting bill, the SAVE America Act. It still doesn’t have the votes.
While the SAVE America Act has been described as a “voter ID” bill by its GOP backers, it is far more restrictive than that. It narrows the types of IDs which can be used, and limits acceptable proof of citizenship documents. Additional documents would be needed for the estimated 69 million married women whose name is different from their birth certificate.
Rarely mentioned by mainstream news is the bill’s elimination of universal mail-in voting, used exclusively in eight states and locally in 15 additional states. Such requirements hit the elderly, the disabled and rural voters particularly hard.
Long lines at airport TSA checkpoints have added pressure on the administration to end the shutdown. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Wednesday that he will force a vote this week on a voter ID amendment to the SAVE America Act, but offered no specifics. Democrats still demand changes to ICE enforcement policies.
In a letter to senators, the Brennan Center for Justice noted states have found almost no noncitizen voting, saying the SAVE America Act,would QUOTE “block millions of eligible American citizens from participating in our democracy.”
We’ve linked to more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
U.S. Congress – Text of H.R.7296 – SAVE America Act
President Donald Trump – Truth Social post tying ending shutdown to passing the SAVE Act
Reuters – Trump ties DHS funding deal to approval of voter bill
USA Today – With airports in chaos, Trump bats down potential DHS deal over SAVE Act battle
Washington Post – (possible paywall) Senate Republicans pitch deal to end DHS shutdown, but Trump isn’t sold
National Conference of State Legislatures – States With Mostly Mail Elections
Senator Majority Leader John Thune – Announcement of Voter ID Amendment to the SAVE America Act
Brennan Center for Justice – Letter to U.S. Senators Opposing the SAVE America Act, S. 1383
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – An Amped Up SAVE Act, the SAVE America Act, Passes the U.S. House and Heads to the Senate. Its Restrictions Could Disenfranchise Millions.
Groups Taking Action:
Declaration for American Democracy, Campaign Legal Center, National Coalition for Accessible Voting, AARP, NAACP Legal Defense Fund
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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