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President Trump is pushing Congress to act on two critical fronts: passing the SAVE America Act and restoring funding to the Department of Homeland Security, where more than 100,000 federal employees are currently working without pay amid a prolonged shutdown.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt outlined the president’s dual priorities during a Tuesday press briefing, describing the SAVE America Act as “one of the most critical pieces of legislation in our nation’s history.”
“The Save America Act is overwhelmingly popular with all Americans because each provision is rooted in common sense,” Leavitt told reporters gathered in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room.
According to Leavitt, the legislation contains five core provisions: requiring voter identification at the polls, mandating proof of citizenship for voter registration, ending universal mail-in ballots (with exceptions for illness, disability, military service and travel), prohibiting biological males from competing in women’s sports, and banning transgender surgeries for minors.
The press secretary emphasized that the voter ID requirement enjoys broad bipartisan support. “Ninety percent of Americans, including more than 80% of Democrat voters, agree with this,” she said, highlighting what the administration considers the proposal’s mainstream appeal.
Leavitt also addressed concerns that the legislation could prevent married women who have changed their surnames from voting, dismissing such claims as unfounded. “There is zero validity to these claims,” she stated. “The Save America Act does not prohibit anyone from voting, with the exception of illegal aliens.”
She clarified that women who have already registered to vote after changing their names would be “entirely unaffected” by the legislation.
Meanwhile, the partial government shutdown continues to affect critical homeland security operations across the country. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees essential agencies including the Transportation Security Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the U.S. Coast Guard, has seen its funding lapse, leaving thousands of employees working without pay.
“President Trump wants the Department of Homeland Security — he wants TSA, he wants FEMA. He wants the brave men and women of our United States Coast Guard to receive their paychecks,” Leavitt emphasized, acknowledging the growing strain on affected families nationwide.
The shutdown is also creating ripple effects beyond federal employees, with travelers experiencing significant delays at airports as TSA operates with reduced staff. Security checkpoint lines have grown longer at major transportation hubs across the country, frustrating travelers and creating additional pressure to resolve the funding impasse.
“To any American out there who is showing up to an airport and facing incredibly long wait times in lines,” Leavitt said, President Trump is urging Congress to act swiftly to restore DHS funding.
The White House is positioning these dual priorities as urgent matters requiring immediate congressional action. While the SAVE America Act represents a broader legislative agenda focused on election security and other conservative priorities, the DHS funding crisis presents a more immediate challenge affecting critical national security operations and thousands of federal workers.
Trump is seeking to have DHS “fully funded and fully reopened” while simultaneously advancing his legislative priorities through the SAVE America Act, according to Leavitt.
The administration’s push comes at a time of significant partisan division in Congress, where Democrats have expressed opposition to elements of both proposals, particularly aspects of the SAVE America Act that critics argue could restrict voting access.
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11 Comments
Hmm, the SAVE America Act sounds like a mixed bag – some provisions seem reasonable, like voter ID requirements, while others seem more controversial, like the sports and healthcare restrictions. I’d want to see detailed analysis from nonpartisan experts before forming an opinion on this legislation.
Restoring DHS funding is a sensible step, but the SAVE America Act seems to go beyond that with some very polarizing provisions. I’m curious to learn more about the rationale and potential effects, especially around the sports and healthcare restrictions. These feel like overreach that could face legal challenges.
Addressing the TSA pay crisis is an important issue that needs to be resolved. However, I’m a bit skeptical of the SAVE America Act and its specific provisions. Protecting election integrity is crucial, but some of these measures seem overly broad and potentially problematic. I’d want to see thorough, objective analysis before supporting this legislation.
Interesting proposal to address election integrity concerns. Voter ID and proof of citizenship requirements seem reasonable, but I have questions about the details and potential impacts. What do others think about these provisions?
I share your interest in the details. Ensuring secure elections is critical, but we need to balance that with protecting voting rights. Curious to hear more expert analysis on the pros and cons.
Ensuring the integrity of our elections is crucial for democracy, but some of the provisions in the SAVE America Act seem quite sweeping. I’m curious to hear more about the rationale and potential impacts, especially around issues like sports and healthcare for minors. These seem like they could be overreach.
The SAVE America Act touches on some sensitive and complex issues. Voter ID requirements may be reasonable, but banning transgender surgeries for minors and excluding biological males from women’s sports are more contentious. I’d want to see careful consideration of the potential impacts and unintended consequences before weighing in on this legislation.
The SAVE America Act sounds like an ambitious legislative package. I’m curious to learn more about the rationale and potential effects of the different provisions, especially the ones related to sports and healthcare for minors. Are these issues that really need to be addressed at the federal level?
Good point. Some of these provisions seem more controversial and could face legal challenges. It will be interesting to see how the debate unfolds in Congress.
Restoring funding to the Department of Homeland Security is an important priority, given the critical role they play in national security. However, I’m a bit skeptical of the claims around the ‘SAVE America Act’ – the name alone sounds very partisan. I’d want to see impartial analysis of the specific proposals before forming an opinion.
Agree, the name does seem quite loaded. It will be important for Congress to carefully evaluate the merits of each component of the legislation, setting aside partisan agendas.