Senate Democrats' recent rejection of a federal voter identification bill has handed Republicans a potent argument for the upcoming midterm elections. By opposing a measure that aligns with practices already common across the country, Democratic leaders have placed themselves on the opposite side of a policy that is broadly popular with voters in both parties. Republicans are framing this resistance as an attempt to deny President Donald Trump and the Republican Party a legislative victory before the November vote.
The latest legislative attempt to mandate federal voter ID was paired with a separate provision banning insider trading in Congress. This effort follows the earlier introduction of the SAVE America Act, a high priority for President Trump that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and his caucus have repeatedly rejected. Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., told Fox News Digital that Democrats are voting against the measure specifically to avoid giving the president a win. "They don't want to give Republicans a win. They'll screw the country and stuff," Banks said.
Earlier this year, Democratic leaders argued that their objection was not to voter ID itself, but to how Republicans approached the legislation. Schumer labeled the SAVE America Act "Jim Crow 2.0," contending it would disenfranchise Black and Brown voters. In a press call, Schumer stated that Democrats support voter ID and noted that their Freedom to Vote legislation included such provisions several years ago.
However, as the months have passed, the issue has become a point of significant contention. Requiring identification to vote is already a practice in 36 states. Of those states, 23 require photo ID, while 13 accept other forms of identification, such as bank statements. Nine of these states have Democratic senators.
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., defended his party's position by pointing to existing state laws. "We already have it," Kaine told Fox News Digital. "I mean, Virginia has a voter ID law that our citizens really like." He questioned the need for a uniform federal mandate when states are already managing the process. "Virtually every state has a voter ID law," he said. "So, what, there has to be a one size fits all federal thing for states [that] are already doing this?"
Republicans argue that the Democratic resistance stems from a desire to protect their voter base, which they claim includes illegal immigrants. Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., told Fox News Digital that Democrats want to make it easier to cheat. "Republicans want to make it easier to vote, make sure nobody's cheating," Barrasso said, describing voter ID as an 80/20 issue or better. He noted that identification is required for mundane activities like boarding a plane or buying alcohol, and even for entry into some rallies held by Democratic candidates during this cycle.
Barrasso characterized the Democratic stance as hypocritical and stated that the priority is electing more Republicans to ensure Congress reflects the view that photo ID is necessary for voting.