Steve Cortes, founder of the League of American Workers, said Rep. Bill Foster’s opposition to the SAVE Act goes against 80% of Americans who “demand sensible Voter ID requirements.” Cortes gave his statement to Will County Gazette on April 16.
“Any lawmaker who votes against the SAVE act directly contradicts the supermajority of Americans who demand sensible Voter ID requirements. Every credible poll shows support around 80% and higher,” Steve Cortes told Will County Gazette. “Every American knows they need ID for anything of consequence in their life. Only radicals pretend there is something wrong with requiring ID for the sacred civic act of voting.”
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act) is a proposed U.S. law that seeks to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 by requiring individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship—such as a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers—when registering to vote in federal elections, according to the Guardian.
On April 10, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the SAVE Act with a 220–208 vote, receiving unanimous support from Republicans and backing from four Democrats, according to Congress.gov. Rep. Foster voted against the bill. The bill now moves to the Senate, where its future is uncertain due to the potential for a Democratic filibuster.
In anticipation of legislative hurdles, President Trump issued an executive order mandating states to verify voters’ citizenship status, effectively implementing key aspects of the SAVE Act’s provisions.
A Gallup poll released on October 24, 2024, indicates that 84% of Americans support requiring photo identification to vote, and 83% favor providing proof of citizenship when registering to vote for the first time. This support spans across political affiliations, with 98% of Republicans, 84% of independents, and 67% of Democrats endorsing photo ID requirements. Similarly, proof of citizenship requirements are backed by 96% of Republicans, 84% of independents, and 66% of Democrats.
Steve Cortes is president of the League of American Workers, a populist right pro-laborer advocacy group, and senior political advisor to Catholic Vote, according to Cortes Investigates. He is a former senior advisor to President Trump and JD Vance, plus a former commentator for Fox News and CNN.
