Hillary Clinton is facing criticism after claiming that a new GOP bill could hurt voting access for many married women. This statement came after the House passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which requires proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration in federal elections.
Clinton, a former presidential candidate, senator, and first lady, took to social media to express her concerns. She stated that the bill could affect 69 million women whose married names do not match their birth certificates. She urged her followers to tell their senators to oppose the legislation.
The SAVE Act, introduced by Representative Chip Roy from Texas, aims to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. It would require individuals to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote and instructs states to remove noncitizens from voter rolls. The bill also allows applicants who lack the necessary documents to submit alternative evidence to verify their citizenship.
Republican lawmakers quickly responded to Clinton’s comments, calling them misleading. Representative Kat Cammack from Florida challenged Clinton directly, saying, "Stop. You are lying. Read the bill." She criticized Clinton for implying that women are incapable of managing their own identification needs.
Senator Mike Lee of Utah, who sponsored a similar version of the bill in the Senate, also pushed back against Clinton’s claims. He argued that if her concerns were valid, it would mean that women would struggle to find employment, as they would not be able to complete an I-9 form, which also requires proof of citizenship.
Representative Anna Paulina Luna and others joined in, labeling Clinton’s remarks as false. They emphasized that the bill includes provisions for individuals with name discrepancies, allowing them to register to vote with various forms of identification.
Democrats, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, echoed Clinton’s fears, arguing that the SAVE Act could disenfranchise millions of married women who have changed their last names but do not have updated identification. Ocasio-Cortez claimed that these women could be turned away at polling places if they lack the proper documents.
In response, some Republicans highlighted that the bill allows for a process to handle discrepancies, ensuring that individuals can still register and vote. They pointed out that the legislation lists acceptable forms of ID, requiring only one document for voter registration.
The debate continues as both sides argue over the implications of the SAVE Act and its potential impact on voting rights.
