Providing for Consideration of S. Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of Providing for Consideration of H.R. Law- Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act; Providing for Consideration of H.R. Undersea Cable Protection Act of and Providing for Consideration of H.R. Securing America's Critical Minerals Supply Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time on this important bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the SAVE America Act. I am proud to cosponsor this bill.

Our democratic process depends on free, fair, and secure elections. When Americans cast their ballots, they have to have full confidence that their voice carries equal weight and that our elections are protected from abuse. Yet, in recent years, alarming loopholes that allow voting without proper identification, lengthy time to vote before elections, or time to register when you show up to vote have weakened the confidence in elections in States like mine, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and undermined a core principle of our democracy.

The right to vote is one of the most important privileges of American citizenship. That privilege must be safeguarded. Allowing individuals to vote without verifying their identity diminishes the voices of lawful voters and opens the door to illegal immigrants influencing our elections. That is unacceptable.

Illegal immigrants are here in this country. They came in by over the millions in the last 4 years. They are in California being given driver's licenses and then using those licenses to register to vote. It is happening all across the country. It is happening in States like Massachusetts.

I have an article from the Boston Herald, from February 8, 2026, titled: ``Massachusetts jury convicts illegal immigrant of identity theft, stealing benefits, voter fraud.''

This is an example of the type of voter fraud that is going on right here in our backyard and right in the backyard of the gentleman from Massachusetts. I would argue that this legislation is even more necessary now than ever.

When you had a Colombian woman unlawfully residing in Boston who was convicted 2 days ago, following a 5-day jury trial in Federal court, of identity theft offenses, including receiving rental assistance, Social Security, and SNAP benefits, as well as voter fraud under stolen identity, voting in several Federal elections, including the 2024 Presidential election, this is a real problem in Massachusetts right now. I would argue that we need to pass this legislation to actually take action.

The time for delay is over. I hope we can pass this today. I hope the Senate will take it up immediately to protect the integrity of our elections and preserve confidence in our democratic processes for generations to come.

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