Republicans landed a key supporter of the SAVE America Act ahead of a U.S. Senate vote, with Senator Susan Collins of Maine saying she backs the House‑passed measure requiring proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections.
Collins told digital news outlet Maine Wire that the revised bill strikes an appropriate balance between election security and voter access, citing changes that removed a requirement for voters to prove citizenship each time they cast a ballot.
Newsweek reached out to Collins’ office via email Friday night for comment.
Why It Matters
The SAVE America Act, which passed the House 218-213 with all Republicans in favor and one Democrat, Representative Henry Cuellar of Texas, supporting it, would significantly reshape federal election rules by mandating documentary proof of citizenship to register for federal elections, photo identification for in-person voting and tightened rules for mail-in ballots.
What To Know
She called the legislation a “simple reform” that would strengthen confidence in federal elections, while stressing she would not support eliminating the Senate’s legislative filibuster to advance it.
The Maine Republican said preserving the 60‑vote threshold remains a red line, even as pressure mounts from conservatives to move the bill quickly through the chamber.
“I support the version of the SAVE America Act that recently passed the House. The law is clear that in this country only American citizens are eligible to vote in federal elections. In addition, having people provide an ID at the polls, just as they have to do before boarding an airplane, checking into a hotel, or buying an alcoholic beverage, is a simple reform that will improve the security of our federal elections and will help give people more confidence in the results. I opposed a previous version of this bill that would have required people to prove their citizenship every single time they cast a ballot. Requiring voters to produce passports or birth certificates on election day—as opposed to just a state-issued ID—would have placed an unnecessary burden on the voters. That provision is no longer in the bill and dropping this requirement was key to getting my support,” Collins told Maine Wire.
She continued, “I oppose eliminating the legislative filibuster. The filibuster is an important protection for the rights of the minority party, that requires Senators to work together in the best interest of the country. Removing that protection would, for example, allow a future Congress controlled by Democrats to pass provisions on anything they want—DC Statehood, open borders, or packing the Supreme Court—with just a simple majority of Senators.”
What People Are Saying
Republican Utah Senator Mike Lee, on X Friday: “We’ve got 49 Senate sponsors of the SAVE America Act and at least one more—Senator Collins—who supports it, and that takes us to 50! We now have enough votes to pass a motion to proceed to the House-passed bill—even without any additional votes—with @VP breaking the tie”
Conservative influencer Nick Sortor, on X Friday: “MAJOR BREAKING: Susan Collins has now BACKED the SAVE America Act, meaning Republicans now have 51 VOTES in the Senate, including JD Vance LET’S GO!!! Time to finally NUKE the Zombie Filibuster and get this to Trump’s desk, @LeaderJohnThune!”
Trump, on Truth Social Friday: “We cannot let the Democrats get away with NO VOTER I.D. any longer. These are horrible, disingenuous CHEATERS. They have all sorts of reasons why it shouldn’t be passed, and then boldly laugh in the backrooms after their ridiculous presentations. If it weren’t such a serious matter, it would be considered a TOTAL JOKE! No Voter I.D. is even crazier, and more ridiculous, than Men playing in Women’s Sports, Open Borders, or Transgender for Everyone. Republicans must put this at the top of every speech — It is a CAN’T MISS FOR RE-ELECTION IN THE MIDTERMS, AND BEYOND! Even Democrat Voters agree, 85%, that there should be Voter I.D. It’s only the Political ‘Leaders,’ Crooked Losers like Schumer and Jeffries, that have no shame, and explain why it’s ‘racist,’ and every other thing that they can think of.
“This is an issue that must be fought, and must be fought, NOW! If we can’t get it through Congress, there are Legal reasons why this SCAM is not permitted. I will be presenting them shortly, in the form of an Executive Order. I hope the Supreme Court realizes, as they ‘painstakingly’ review the very simple topic of Country Saving Tariffs (Those same Tariffs that have been used, by other Countries, against the U.S.A. to drain it of its Treasure and Security — for many years!), and all sorts of other things, that are making our Country Rich, Powerful, and Safe Again, that these Corrupt and Deranged Democrats, if they ever gain power, will not only be adding two States to our roster of 50, with all of the baggage thereto, but will also PACK THE COURT with a total of 21 Supreme Court Justices, THEIR DREAM, which they will submit easily and rapidly when they immediately move to terminate the Filibuster, probably in their first week, or sooner.
“Our Country will never be the same if they allow these demented and evil people to knowingly, and happily, destroy it. Thank you for your attention to this matter — SAVE AMERICA! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP”
GOP Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, earlier this week on X in part: “Election Day is fast approaching. Imposing new federal requirements now, when states are deep into their preparations, would negatively impact election integrity by forcing election officials to scramble to adhere to new policies likely without the necessary resources.” She added that ensuring trust in elections is “at the core of our democracy” and that “federal overreach is not how we achieve this.”
What Happens Next
It is immediately unknown when the Senate will vote on the piece of legislation.
Update 2/13/26, 8:37 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
In a polarized era, the center is dismissed as bland. At Newsweek, ours is different: The Courageous Center—it’s not “both sides,” it’s sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you.
When you become a Newsweek Member, you support a mission to keep the center strong and vibrant. Members enjoy: Ad-free browsing, exclusive content and editor conversations. Help keep the center courageous. Join today.
