GOP Uses Voter ID Bill as Midterm Weapon

0:00On March 18th, Senate Republicans are turning the Senate's likely rejection of President Donald Trump's voter ID proposal into a key campaign weapon against Democrats ahead of the midterms. The Save America Act would demand proof of United States citizenship for voter registration and photo identification to cast ballots. Though Trump backs it strongly, the bill lacks the 60 votes needed in the 100-member Senate to overcome a filibuster. Republicans have kicked off a lengthy for debate to force Democrats to go on record opposing these measures. Polls show broad support for voter ID across party lines, and GOP leaders see this as a way to paint Democrats as soft on election security. Democrats argue the bill tackles a rare problem, since federal law already bans non-citizens from voting in national elections and studies confirm. Such cases are few. They worry the new rules could burden women, minorities, and low-income folks who might struggle to get documents like birth certificates or passports.

1:01The measure squeaked through the House last month, and now it's fueling wider election messaging. Meanwhile, the Justice Department is suing 29 states for access to voter lists to check integrity, and Trump hints at possible executive, action of Congress stalls. This debate looks set to shape talks on election rules right through November and beyond, as both sides dig in on what secure voting really means for, Americans.