“Getting this bill to the floor was no small feat—that’s real progress. Now the focus has to be on finishing the job.” — Ken Cuccinelli, National Chairman of ETI.
After a hard-fought push to bring the bill to the floor, debate has paused for recess—lawmakers must return ready to make final passage a top priority and finish the job.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Arlington, VA — March 30, 2026 —
Following a major breakthrough that brought the SAVE America Act to the Senate floor, Ken Cuccinelli, National Chairman of the Election Transparency Initiative (ETI), was featured on The Hill Sunrise and published an OpEd in The Hill outlining the stakes of the ongoing debate.
Cuccinelli warned that the U.S. Senate is at a critical inflection point on the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, as recent votes and procedural delays threaten to undermine momentum for passage.
Cuccinelli emphasized that advancing the SAVE Act to active Senate debate marked a significant step forward following a sustained effort to secure floor consideration.
“Getting this bill to the floor was no small feat,” said Cuccinelli. “That alone marks real progress. Now the focus has to be on finishing the job.”
However, recent developments underscore how fragile that momentum remains.
Despite prior statements that they were not opposed to voter ID, a Senate amendment to require photo identification for voting failed to advance last week, falling short of the 60 votes required after unified Democratic opposition against voter ID—raising new questions about whether lawmakers will follow through on broader election integrity measures.
During his appearance on The Hill Sunrise, Cuccinelli addressed widespread confusion surrounding both the legislation and the Senate’s procedural approach, noting that while the process may appear complex, the policy itself remains straightforward.
He also pointed to the real-world consequences of the recent DHS funding standoff, which led to TSA delays and travel disruptions in recent weeks. While lawmakers moved to address portions of the funding gap, broader issues remain unresolved as the Senate departs for recess.
“When Americans see the real-world effects of gridlock, it underscores why focus matters,” Cuccinelli said. “You don’t solve these problems by stepping away—you solve them by staying on the issue until it’s done.”
In his OpEd, Cuccinelli warned that efforts to divert the SAVE Act through reconciliation, funding deals, or unrelated amendments risk undermining both momentum and the votes needed for passage.
“The Senate is walking a tightrope—one misstep into side deals, reconciliation, or unrelated issues risks losing both momentum and the votes needed to pass this bill.”
Cuccinelli also cautioned that recent Senate actions on Department of Homeland Security funding—splitting core functions while avoiding broader resolution—could signal a similar path for the SAVE Act.
“If lawmakers are willing to carve up core national security functions to avoid difficult votes, it raises a serious question: Will they do the same to avoid a full and open debate on the SAVE Act?”
He further addressed claims circulating during the debate, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the legislative text.
The SAVE Act would establish a federal standard requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration while preserving state flexibility in implementation.
“There’s been a lot said about this bill that simply isn’t in it,” Cuccinelli said. “That’s part of what’s driving confusion—people are reacting to claims, not the actual text.”
With the Senate now in recess, Cuccinelli stressed that lawmakers must return with a clear focus on completing the process.
“There’s only one way to do this right—stay on the bill, keep the pressure on, and bring it to a vote,” he said.
He also warned that voters are increasingly frustrated with repeated cycles of stalled action.
“Voters are tired of the same Lucy-and-the-football routine and want results.”
Read the OpEd: https://thehill.com/opinion/congress-blog/5803611-save-act-election-integrity/
Watch the interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-aDda2EhAQ&feature=youtu.be
About the Election Transparency Initiative
ETI works nationwide to advance commonsense election reforms that protect the integrity of the vote and strengthen public trust in election outcomes through policies that enhance transparency, accountability, and confidence in American elections. Ken Cuccinelli serves as National Chairman of ETI. He previously served as Acting Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and as Attorney General of Virginia.
Media Availability
ETI Chairman Ken Cuccinelli is available for interviews regarding the SAVE Act and federal election integrity reforms. Members of the media may submit interview requests at: https://electiontransparency.org/contact/
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