During a recent press conference, Speaker Mike Johnson raised concerns about the potential influence of thousands of individuals residing in the U.S. illegally on the upcoming elections. Johnson highlighted that several House GOP members secured narrow victories in past elections, emphasizing the impact a small number of illegal residents could have on election outcomes.
Johnson expressed worries that illegal residents, who entered the country over the past four years under current border policies, could significantly sway election results, potentially affecting the balance of power in the House and even presidential races.
As the House prepared to vote on a measure extending federal funding and introducing a bill mandating proof of citizenship in voter registration, Johnson underscored the importance of preventing noncitizens from participating in elections.
Despite facing opposition from the Democrat-controlled Senate and the White House, Johnson remained steadfast in his commitment to advancing the SAVE Act, which aims to enhance election security by verifying the citizenship of voters.
While critics have labeled the SAVE Act as xenophobic and redundant, Johnson and fellow Republicans argue that existing loopholes in voter registration processes have enabled illegal immigrants to potentially influence election outcomes.
Johnson emphasized the need for mechanisms to verify the citizenship of individuals registering to vote, citing instances where audits in various states revealed illegal residents on voter rolls.
With razor-thin margins deciding some elections, Johnson stressed the urgency of addressing the issue to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
Currently, 14 states and Washington, D.C. do not require documentation for voting at polling stations, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.