WASHINGTON—All five democratic congressional representatives from Ohio voted against the SAVE Act, which would help ensure only U.S. citizens vote in federal elections. The legislation, which passed in the Republican majority House of Representatives, requires proof of U.S. citizenship in order to register to vote.
All of Ohio’s Republican representatives voted in favor of the SAVE Act, which passed 221-198. The SAVE Act is likely to face headwinds in the Democratic majority Senate, and President Biden has threatened to veto the legislation.
Representatives Greg Landsman, Marcy Kaptur, Joyce Beatty, Shontel Brown, and Emelia Sykes all voted against the legislation. Ohio’s seven Congressional Republicans voted in favor of requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote. All 12 Ohio Congressional districts are up for reelection this year.
U.S. Election Integrity a Flashpoint
Election integrity has become a partisan issue since 2020, when troves of ballots for President Joe Biden tipped key counties in swing states, swinging the election in his favor, even as it appeared former President Donald Trump was poised to win.
Critics argue if only a fraction of illegal immigrants to the United States cast ballots, U.S. elections would be further skewed.
Context
It has been estimated that 10 million illegal immigrants have crossed the U.S. Southern Border during the Biden Administration. With the 2020 election called on extremely narrow margins in a handful of key counties in swing states tipping the balance, critics say the prospect of non-citizens voting or having ballots cast in their name poses a threat to U.S. election security.
Incentives
Immigrants are a key client of Democrat policies and politics, on the receiving end of massive social welfare benefits spending.
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Nearly 60% of non-citizen households received welfare benefits.
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Legal and illegal immigrants to the United States will generate an estimated $12.5 trillion in net fiscal costs, Senate Budget Committee testimony revealed.
With a majority share of immigrants on the receiving end of welfare entitlements and likely to vote Democrat, there is little incentive for Democrats to stem the flow of illegal entries to the United States.
Meanwhile, taxpayers have incentive to close the border. In addition to the estimated $12.5 trillion in fiscal costs associated with illegal immigration, studies have shown immigration suppresses wages by glutting the labor market with supply. An Axios/Harris poll revealed widespread popular support for mass deportations.
Meanwhile, critics have argued illegal immigration poses a security risk. The House Committee on Homeland Security is aware of a threat from a surge of Chinese nationals crossing the border illegally. The U.S. Southern Border is already a major vector of fentanyl and other illegal drugs, as well as human trafficking.
The SAVE Act’s Future
The SAVE Act is likely to face headwinds in the Democratic-controlled Senate. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D, Ohio) refused to say last month whether he supported a Biden Administration plan to offer mass amnesty to illegal immigrants. President Biden has threatened to veto the legislation.
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