Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) forced a Senate vote on Apr. 23 to include key provisions of the SAVE Act in a Republican plan to re-open the Department of Homeland Security. The amendment, which aimed to add new election integrity measures, was narrowly defeated by a vote of 48-50.
The proposed amendment would have required photo identification for voter registration and voting in American elections, and mandated that all votes in federal elections be counted within 36 hours of election day. Kennedy said these steps were necessary to restore public confidence in the electoral process.
“One of the things I . . . said I wanted to try to do in reconciliation was the SAVE Act. Here’s what I want to do, and I’m willing for all of us to put our heads together and figure out how to do it,” Kennedy said during his remarks. He continued, “The American people no longer have confidence in our elections. You can debate whether that’s justified or not, but it’s just a natural fact. I think that we can restore confidence in our federal elections if we do three things.” Kennedy outlined those as ensuring only American citizens are registered voters, requiring proof of identity at the polls, and returning federal elections to being decided on election day rather than over an extended period.
Kennedy has long supported both the SAVE Act and SAVE America Act as a cosponsor. In March 2026, he spoke about his support for these measures on the Senate floor and discussed using reconciliation as part of his legislative strategy: “If this bill is as important as we say it is, we should try it through reconciliation,” he said.
Kennedy’s background includes earning degrees with honors from Vanderbilt University and Oxford University according to his official website. He serves on Senate committees for appropriations, banking, budget and judiciary according to his official website, holds top Republican positions on subcommittees related to energy policy according to his official website, contributes as an adjunct professor according to his official website, authored works on Constitutional law according to his official website, and previously served as executive editor of the Virginia Law Review according to his official website.
While supporters argue such legislation could address concerns about election security among voters across party lines, opponents have raised questions about its impact on access or implementation logistics.
Looking ahead after this close vote defeat, Kennedy signaled he will continue efforts around these priorities: “That’s what I mean when I say the SAVE Act…and I’m going to keep my word,” he said.
