During the Senate’s marathon “vote-a-rama” session on June 4, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) brought forward the House-approved SAVE Act for consideration. The proposal received majority support, passing 50-49, but it did not advance because Senate rules required a three-fifths majority, or 60 votes, to waive budget restrictions during the reconciliation process.

The vote marked an improvement from an earlier election-related amendment introduced by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC). That proposal failed 48-50 after four Republican senators joined Democrats in opposition. The House-passed SAVE Act would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections while strengthening voter identification requirements.

Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina opposed Graham’s earlier amendment. When Lee later presented the House version without the additional provisions, Collins changed her position and voted in favor, while Murkowski, McConnell, and Tillis continued to oppose the measure.

The final 50-49 vote showed that supporters could secure a simple Senate majority, although they remained short of the 60 votes needed to overcome procedural hurdles. Vice President JD Vance, serving as president of the Senate, was available to cast a tie-breaking vote if necessary.

Supporters argue the legislation would strengthen election security by ensuring only eligible U.S. citizens register to vote and by increasing confidence in federal elections. Opponents maintain that existing laws already prohibit non-citizens from voting and warn that stricter documentation requirements could create unnecessary obstacles for eligible voters.

Although the SAVE Act previously passed the House and has the backing of President Donald Trump, Vice President Vance, and many conservative organizations, it was not included in the broader border security and immigration package. As a result, the legislation remains stalled under current Senate procedures despite receiving majority support.