Senate Debates Save America Act: Voter ID, Citizenship Proof

0:00Welcome to Anchorage News Today, two minutes of news that matter to Anchorage. The U.S. Senate just barely agreed to debate the Save America Act on Tuesday. This bill would make voters show photo identification at the polls and prove citizenship when registering. President Trump says it's crucial to protect elections while opponents claim it could block millions of Americans from voting. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska stood alone as the only Republican voting against opening debate. She argues the real issues hide in how the rules would actually play out, especially in hard-to-reach places. For folks in remote Alaska spots, new rules might mean flying hundreds of miles and spending over $1,000 just to hand over citizenship, papers in person. Getting a certified birth certificate could take two months and more than 50,000 Alaskans use mail ballots in the last big election. Supporters push back, saying states like Alaska could send election workers to off-road communities and streamline birth certificate access.

1:01And a amendment from Trump would mostly end mail voting, except for the ill or those on military duty. Right now, debate kicked off with only 51 votes in favor, well short of the 60 needed to beat a filibuster. It's unclear if the bill will ever reach the president's desk. This episode is supported by our sponsor, Comfort You Can Hear, Sound You Can Relax Into S-O-L-L-I-SOLYPILLOW.com