A coalition of more than two dozen advocacy groups, including major labor unions and civil rights organizations, lobbied Congress to oppose the SAVE America Act, a Republican-backed bill that would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration in federal elections. Federal lobbying disclosures show that these groups spent significant sums during the second quarter of 2026, as the legislation stalled in Congress.

Explainer Election Integrity in America: Safeguarding Voter Trust and Ballot Security

The fight over the SAVE America Act centers on whether stricter voter ID and citizenship requirements protect election integrity or risk disenfranchising eligible voters.

The bill's fate has become a flashpoint in the broader debate over election laws, with both parties accusing each other of undermining democratic processes. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, has drawn national attention as Republicans argue it is needed to prevent noncitizen voting, while opponents claim it would suppress legitimate votes.

Who Lobbied and What They Spent

Lobbying disclosure forms filed with Congress show that the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights spent $220,000 on lobbying activities in the second quarter of 2026, including efforts to block the SAVE America Act. The American Library Association reported $71,297 in lobbying expenses for the same period, while Independent Sector, a nonprofit advocacy group, spent $70,000. See Leadership Conference filing, American Library Association filing, Independent Sector filing.

The coalition included the AFL-CIO, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, American Federation of Teachers, Communications Workers of America, National Education Association, and National Nurses United. Other groups lobbying against the bill were the ACLU, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Human Rights Campaign, League of Conservation Voters, and the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Arguments For and Against the Bill

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights organized a letter opposing the bill, arguing it is "not necessary to secure American elections" and would "do nothing more than exclude eligible voters" and "make voting harder." Akilah Watkins, president of Independent Sector, said her group opposes the legislation because it would "undermine the ability of nonprofits to engage in nonpartisan voter education and voter registration."

Republican lawmakers and the White House have pushed back, saying the bill is needed to protect election integrity. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, said the opposition is motivated by political advantage, claiming, "they know that allowing illegal aliens to vote in our elections gives Democrats the best shot at reclaiming power."

"Every American should be asking why the radical Left and Democrats are fighting against the SAVE America Act, which includes commonsense election integrity measures, like Voter ID, that are strongly supported by the vast majority of Americans. This legislation would make sure Americans, and Americans only, decide our elections. President [Donald] Trump has been clear and he is absolutely right: we fix this now, or we lose our country."

— Lauren Bis, White House spokeswoman

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, also criticized the coalition, suggesting the opposition is designed to help Democrats win elections illegitimately. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, said, "Everyone knows why these left-wing activist groups don’t support the SAVE America Act and voter ID."

Broader Political Context

The SAVE America Act has become a rallying point for Republican lawmakers who argue that noncitizen voting is a threat to election security. Supporters of the bill point to cases of noncitizens registering or voting in U.S. elections, while opponents say such incidents are rare and that the bill's requirements would disenfranchise eligible voters. Only one coalition member, Independent Sector, responded to requests for comment from the Daily Signal. The White House and Republican sponsors have continued to press for the bill, while the coalition of advocacy groups maintains that the legislation would suppress voter participation.

Three organizations lobbied in favor of the bill: the Federation on American Immigration Reform, Heritage Action for America, and the Pressler Persistence. The bill remains stalled in Congress, with its future uncertain as both sides continue to mobilize supporters.