Carbondale Reporter

Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12) voted against a short-term spending compromise that funds the government through December 20th, as it excluded a provision requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote. Last week, Bost supported a package that would have funded the government until March 20th of next year while implementing SAVE Act reforms.

"There are two urgent priorities facing Congress right now: funding the government and securing the election. That’s why I was proud to vote last week for a bill that helped accomplish both goals," Bost stated. "Unfortunately, it was defeated when nearly all House Democrats opposed a provision requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote. How you could oppose ensuring the integrity of what may be the closest presidential race in modern history is beyond me."

Bost continued, "That’s why I voted against the bill when it was brought back to the House floor with the election protections stripped away. We’re facing what may be the closest presidential election in modern history, and I couldn’t justify voting for a bill that’s half as good and funds government for half as long as the one we brought to the floor last week. Southern Illinoisans deserve to have confidence that our elections are secure and that their vote won’t be cancelled out by someone casting a ballot illegally.”

The SAVE Act amends existing law to mandate in-person verification of citizenship when registering to vote at DMVs, voter registration agencies, or by mail. The bill also requires states to remove non-citizens from voter rolls, provides states access to federal databases to verify citizenship, and allows citizens to sue election officials who fail to enforce these requirements. The SAVE Act passed the House with bipartisan support as a standalone bill this summer.

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