U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said on March 22 that the SAVE America Act aims to secure American elections by requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote and a photo ID at the polls. Thune made these remarks during a rare Sunday session on the Senate floor, emphasizing what he described as commonsense policies supported by most Americans.
The debate over election security has become a central issue in Congress, with lawmakers considering changes that could affect how citizens register and vote. Thune said, “Requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote, and requiring a photo ID when you go to cast a ballot,” are measures backed by public opinion. He noted that many Americans already believe such requirements exist.
Thune pointed out that proof of citizenship is needed for government benefits, military service, and employment eligibility. He questioned why similar standards should not apply to voter registration: “If we expect this of Americans in other aspects of their lives, why shouldn’t we expect it when Americans go to register to vote?”
He also addressed current legal challenges, stating that courts have prevented states from going beyond federal requirements set by the 1993 National Voter Registration Act, which does not mandate proof of citizenship. The SAVE America Act would change this by making such documentation necessary for voter registration.
Discussing photo ID laws, Thune said that 36 states already require identification at the polls and compared voting requirements with everyday activities like driving or picking up children from school. He criticized Democratic opposition to recent proposals for nationwide voter ID rules: “Democrats – who now claim to support voter ID – proposed a nationwide ban on voter ID requirements.”
Thune’s background includes growing up in Murdo, South Dakota, where an encounter with a congressman inspired his interest in public service according to the official website. He earned degrees from Biola University and the University of South Dakota according to the official website, and has served on several Senate committees including Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; Commerce, Science and Transportation; and Finance according to the official website.
Thune has held leadership roles such as Senate majority leader as well as Republican whip and conference chairman according to the official website. He won historic Senate elections—including one against a sitting party leader—and maintains a home in Sioux Falls with his wife Kimberley; they have two daughters and six grandchildren according to the official website.
Looking ahead in the legislative process, Thune concluded: “There will be other opportunities in this debate for Democrats to support commonsense voter integrity measures – including voter ID. And every Democrat will be put on the record for the American people to see.”
