Top Republican Endorses Trump’s SAVE Act

With the November midterm elections approaching, Sen. Rick Scott is urging Senate Republicans to make election security one of their highest priorities before lawmakers leave Washington for the August recess.

The Florida Republican says Congress should continue fighting for stronger voter integrity laws, including nationwide voter ID requirements and proof of U.S. citizenship for new voter registrations. Scott believes these reforms enjoy broad public support and argues they are essential for protecting confidence in American elections.

Appearing Tuesday on Newsmax’s Carl Higbie FRONTLINE, Scott said Republicans should use every available legislative tool to move the legislation forward rather than allowing it to stall once again.

Republicans Continue Push for Voter ID Legislation

Scott’s comments come as the SAVE America Act remains stalled in the Senate despite backing from President Donald Trump and multiple House approvals over the past two years.

Previous attempts to advance portions of the legislation through budget reconciliation failed earlier this year after several Republican senators joined Democrats in opposing the effort.

Despite those setbacks, Scott remains optimistic that Republicans can still secure enough votes to pass at least the bill’s core election integrity provisions.

“If we can’t pass everything,” Scott said, “let’s pass voter ID. Let’s require proof that someone is an American citizen before registering to vote.”

Rick Scott Says Americans Support Election Security

According to Scott, stronger election laws are not simply a Republican issue.

He argued that voters across the political spectrum overwhelmingly support basic election safeguards designed to strengthen confidence in the voting process.

“Republicans, Democrats, and independents all want it,” Scott said. “The only people who don’t seem to support it are elected Democrats.”

Scott believes requiring identification to vote is a common-sense policy that most Americans already expect.

Senate Republicans Face Limited Options

Scott said Republicans still have two possible paths for advancing election security legislation before the November elections.

The first would involve using the budget reconciliation process, which requires only a simple majority vote in the Senate. The second would involve forcing an extended Senate debate through a talking filibuster, placing additional public attention on the issue.

“We’ve got to get election security done,” Scott said. “Whether that’s through reconciliation or a talking filibuster, we’ve got to keep fighting.”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune has expressed skepticism that remaining in session through August would persuade Democrats to support a stand-alone election security bill. Even so, Scott argues Republicans should continue pressing the issue rather than postponing action.

Poll Shows Strong Support for Voter ID Requirements

Scott also pointed to national polling that suggests election security measures remain popular with American voters.

A Gallup survey conducted in October 2024 found that:

• 84% of Americans support requiring a government-issued photo ID when voting.
• 83% support requiring proof of U.S. citizenship when individuals first register to vote.

Scott said those numbers demonstrate widespread bipartisan agreement on measures designed to protect election integrity.

“How hard is it to require someone to have an ID?” Scott asked.

Scott Criticizes New York City’s Identification Policies

During the interview, Scott also criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani over reports involving identification requirements connected to proposed city-owned grocery stores.

Scott argued it is inconsistent for government officials to support identification requirements for certain public services while opposing voter ID laws.

He said requiring identification to vote should be viewed as a reasonable safeguard rather than a political issue.

SAVE America Act Remains a Major Republican Priority

As chairman of the Senate Republican Steering Committee, Scott has said roughly 50 Republican senators support the SAVE America Act’s two central provisions—requiring voter identification and proof of citizenship for new voter registrations.

Those measures remain among the Republican Party’s top election priorities heading into the November midterm elections, particularly as debates over election integrity continue across the country.

Supporters argue the legislation would strengthen confidence in the voting process by ensuring only eligible American citizens participate in federal elections. Opponents have raised concerns about implementation and potential impacts on voter access, setting the stage for continued debate in Congress.

With lawmakers preparing to leave for the August recess, Scott is urging Senate Republicans to keep election security at the forefront and continue pursuing legislation that he says reflects the views of a large majority of American voters.