WASHINGTON, March 22 - President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he would not support a funding deal for the Department of Homeland Security unless Democrats in Congress first approve legislation requiring people registering to vote to show proof of U.S. citizenship.
“I don’t think any deal should be made on this until they approve Save America,” Trump said in an interview, according to a NewsNation reporter who posted the remarks on X. The measure proponents call the Save America Act would mandate proof of citizenship for voter registration.
Trump reiterated his intention to place U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel at airports “for as long as it takes,” saying he would keep ICE agents in airports until Democratic lawmakers agree to fund DHS. “Now that I did this, the Democrats want to make a deal. And I don’t think any deal should be made on this until they approve SAVE America,” he was quoted as saying.
The Save America Act does not currently have the 60 votes required to overcome Democratic opposition in the 100-member Senate, where Republicans hold 53 seats.
Supporters of the bill say it would help deter voter fraud. Republicans have echoed Trump’s false claim that large numbers of people who are in the country illegally vote in U.S. elections.
Opponents, including Democrats and other critics, argue the proposal could have the effect of disenfranchising Americans who do not have easy access to passports, birth certificates and other documents used to verify citizenship. Critics say such requirements could make it harder for some eligible voters to register.
The president’s remarks link a routine funding negotiation for a major federal agency to legislation focused on voting eligibility, and include an operational shift in enforcement presence at airports. The bill’s prospects hinge on securing the supermajority needed in the Senate to advance it past a filibuster or other procedural hurdles.
Lawmakers and stakeholders on both sides of the debate have framed the issue around election integrity and access to the ballot, with competing views on whether the proposed citizenship verification requirement would reduce fraud or create barriers for lawful voters.
Context and next steps
- Congress must consider funding for the Department of Homeland Security as part of broader appropriations or stopgap measures.
- The Save America Act requires 60 votes in the Senate to overcome Democratic opposition; Republicans currently hold 53 seats.
- Trump has said ICE agents would be placed at airports until DHS funding is secured by agreement from Democratic lawmakers.