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. PALMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this rule and the SAVE America Act. This essential legislation would require, as we have said previously, proof of citizenship when registering to vote and the presentation of a valid ID when at the ballot box. Currently, only 13 States do not require any form of voter ID. Having this requirement should be the standard and not the exception.

My Democratic colleagues claim that requiring a photo ID to vote is too burdensome. Some say it is too difficult for rural Americans and will lead to voter suppression. I grew up in rural America.

The reality is that Americans use photo IDs every day to carry out basic tasks like opening a bank account, boarding a flight, checking into a hotel, renting a car, or applying for a business license.

Americans use photo IDs to buy alcohol, tobacco, or nicotine products. They use it to sign a lease or rental agreement. It is also used to get a marriage license, purchase firearms or ammunition, check in for jury duty, or enroll in a college or university. Purchasing insurance or donating blood requires a photo ID.

I hope that people who don't have a photo ID don't get sick because they need a photo ID to purchase things like Sudafed, NyQuil, and Mucinex D. I hope they don't have to pick up a package at the post office because we have to have a photo ID to pick up a package at the post office.

If we require a photo ID to prevent fraud in these areas I just mentioned, why are my colleagues so opposed to preventing fraud in elections? It is hard to argue that a photo ID is too much to ask for in voting when Americans already use it routinely for far less important activities.

Mr. Speaker, protecting election integrity should be a priority. I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying SAVE America Act to secure our elections.

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Mr. PALMER. Mr. Speaker, I point out that in 2005, 18 of the 21 members of a bipartisan Federal commission headed by former President Jimmy Carter and former Secretary of State James Baker came out in support of photo ID requirements more stringent than what Indiana had at that time. ``Voters in nearly 100 democracies use a photo identification card without fear of infringement on their rights,'' the commission stated.

In regard to voter registration fraud, just last year, six people were indicted for fraudulent voter registration forms submitted ahead of last year's Presidential election.

The allegations of fraud appeared to be motivated by the defendants' desire to make money and to keep their jobs and was not an effort to influence the election, so said the Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday. It really doesn't matter what the motivation is. What matters is the result--fraudulent voter registrations.

Back in 2008, there was an organization called ACORN. There was an ACORN whistleblower who worked for both it and its Project Vote registration affiliate from 2005 until 2006. She said: It is ludicrous to say that fake registrations can't become fraudulent voters. She said: I assure you if you can get them on the rolls, you can get them to vote, especially using absentee ballots.

There were documents that were provided by the whistleblower that indicated that the goal of ACORN's New Mexico affiliate was that only 40 percent of its submitted registrations had to be valid.

I think fraudulent voter registration is a problem. I think requiring a valid photo ID, as President Jimmy Carter and former Secretary of State Jim Baker said, is totally a way to ensure integrity in our elections and is not a burden on the people.

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