Republican Senator Rebukes Trump-Backed SAVE Act: ‘Federal Overreach’

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska is breaking with President Donald Trump and much of her party over the Trump-backed SAVE Act, warning that it amounts to unconstitutional federal overreach.

The SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act) is a proposed federal election law that would amend the National Voter Registration Act to require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship—such as a U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, REAL ID–compliant ID indicating citizenship, or naturalization papers—when registering to vote in federal elections. It would also mandate ongoing verification of voter rolls to ensure only U.S. citizens are registered, expanding the federal government’s role in election administration.

In a pointed statement on X, Murkowski said Republicans were unanimous in opposing Democratic election reforms in 2021 precisely because they would have federalized elections. She argued that proposals like the SAVE Act now do the same, undermining states’ constitutional authority to regulate the administration of federal elections.

With Election Day nearing for the 2026 midterm elections, Murkowski cautioned that imposing new federal requirements would disrupt state preparations and could ultimately weaken, rather than strengthen, election integrity.

This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow. 

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