In a recent move that has left many scratching their heads, House Republicans have introduced a new bill that would require all states to verify proof of citizenship for every voter in order to prevent noncitizens from voting in federal elections. The bill, spearheaded by U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, is a key policy of former President Donald Trump, who has long pushed the narrative that noncitizens voting poses a threat to the integrity of the election system.
The proposed legislation comes at a time when the GOP is doubling down on efforts to combat what they perceive as rampant election fraud, despite numerous studies showing that voter fraud is extremely rare in America. The bill aims to address a problem that virtually does not exist, as the Heritage Foundation found only 24 instances of noncitizens voting between 2003 and 2023.
Critics of the bill argue that it is a solution in search of a problem, as the number of noncitizens casting votes is minuscule and has not been shown to have any significant impact on election outcomes. In fact, a study by the Brennan Center for Justice found only approximately 30 instances of noncitizens casting votes in the 2016 general election out of 23.5 million votes analyzed.
Despite the lack of evidence supporting the need for such legislation, Republicans continue to push forward with their agenda, further fueling the debate over voter suppression and the integrity of the election process. As the bill makes its way through Congress, the question remains: is this a genuine effort to protect the sanctity of American elections, or simply a political ploy to advance a partisan agenda?