Rep. Sewell Floor Remarks Opposing Republicans' Voter Suppression Bill, the SAVE Act

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Elections, spoke on the House Floor in opposition to H.R. 22, the SAVE Act. Watch it on YouTube here . Rep. Sewell: Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the House Republicans’ so-called SAVE Act, the most restrictive voting law to be considered by this body in decades. The SAVE Act is just the latest in the ongoing assault on our democracy by President Trump and his allies in Congress. Instead of working to meet the needs of the American people, House Republicans are busy spreading fear and lies to justify their attempts to disenfranchise millions of eligible voters. Let’s be clear. It is already against the law for non-Americans to vote. This bill is a solution in search of a problem. The SAVE Act would create new barriers to the ballot box for millions of eligible voters. That includes almost 70 million American women who got married and changed their last names. It also includes 140 million Americans without a passport. And it includes Americans with military and tribal IDs. To be clear, this bill is not about protecting our elections. It’s about making it harder for Americans to vote and easier for Republicans to win. As elected officials, we should be working to expand access to the ballot box, not restrict it. Congress should be considering H.R. 14, the John Robert Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, to ensure that every American can freely and fairly vote. Mr. Speaker, this is very personal to me. I am not only the Representative of America's Civil Rights District, but I am also the proud daughter of Selma, Alabama. It was in my hometown where hundreds of Foot Soldiers were bludgeoned on a bridge for the equal right of all Americans to vote. This legislation before us today makes a mockery of their legacy. I urge all of my colleagues to vote NO on the SAVE Act! Thank you, and I yield back the balance of my time. ###