Sen. Hawley Criticizes GOP Senators for Blocking Voter ID Measure

Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri criticized four Republicans who joined Democrats to block the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. The act aimed to integrate voter ID requirements into the Senate’s reconciliation package. Hawley expressed confusion over the decision, saying, “You can’t explain it to me why you wouldn’t vote for voter ID.”

During the vote, Republican Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Mitch McConnell, and Thom Tillis collaborated with Democrats. They opposed an amendment that would have added the election-integrity measure to the GOP’s budget plans. Hawley shared his frustration with Fox News Digital, noting that his home state of Missouri has embraced similar measures in its constitution.

He continued to express his support for voter ID laws, stating, “Voter ID is the most popular thing out there. There’s a reason for that. People want their elections to be safe, they want them to be fair.” Hawley couldn’t fathom why some senators wouldn’t support it during the budget discussions focused on funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol.

“We make federal rules all the time for elections,” Hawley emphasized. “There’s nothing more basic than protecting the integrity of the ballot.”

During the debate, many senators argued that issues like voter ID should remain a state responsibility. However, Hawley disagreed, pointing out Congress’s historical involvement in regulating federal elections. He cited past legislation like the Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022 as examples of federal intervention in election procedures.

The proposed SAVE Act would require voters to present identification and proof of citizenship during registration and voting in federal elections. Despite not passing, Hawley remains optimistic, noting, “37 states have voter ID already, including several blue states.” He believes nationwide implementation is inevitable, driven by public demand.

Hannah Brennan, a Digital Production Assistant with the Politics team, contributed to this report. With a background in journalism from the University of Colorado Boulder, Brennan has covered significant political events, including those with notable figures like former House Speaker Paul Ryan.