The Senate is preparing for a floor vote this week on the "SAVE America Act," a sweeping Republican-backed bill aimed at overhauling national elections, which faces staunch Democratic opposition despite a key provision requiring photo identification for voting enjoying broad public support.

Public Backs Voter ID, Congress Remains Divided

Republicans are aggressively promoting the SAVE America Act, highlighting its provision to require photo identification for voting. This policy has long been a flashpoint, with Democrats in Congress consistently opposing it, often likening such requirements to discriminatory Jim Crow-era laws intended to suppress the votes of African Americans.

But Democrats' argument isn't working with voters anymore. A Pew Research Center poll conducted in August revealed overwhelming support for requiring government-issued photo identification to vote. Eighty-three percent of U.S. adults back the measure, a significant increase from 77% in a similar Pew poll from 2012.

The support spans both parties and every demographic group. The poll found 71% of self-identified Democrats, 83% of independents, and 76% of Black voters favor photo ID requirements. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, seized on these findings, stating on the Senate floor, "It kind of feels like the only Americans not to support voter ID requirements are Democrats here in Congress."

NBC News reached out to more than two dozen Democratic lawmakers about their stance on a photo ID rule. Only one, Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, expressed openness to the idea. "If they really want to have a real conversation, and if they align it that 83% of Americans support showing basic ID — you know, I’m not going to tell 83% of Americans that they’re crazy, or they’re trying to suppress votes, or they’re Jim Crow," Fetterman told NBC News. Yet, even Fetterman confirmed he would oppose the SAVE America Act in its current form, citing other provisions within the sprawling bill.

Beyond Photo ID: Broader Scope and Democratic Objections

While Republicans emphasize the popularity of the photo ID component, Democrats contend the SAVE America Act contains far more stringent requirements that could disenfranchise millions. One major point of contention is a provision that would demand proof of citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, for voter registration. Democrats argue this constitutes a much higher burden of proof than simply presenting a photo ID at the polls.

Another significant concern for Democrats involves empowering the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to screen state voter rolls. Under the bill, DHS could flag suspected noncitizens for disqualification from voting. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, strongly criticized this aspect. He dismissed the notion that the bill is primarily about voter ID, asserting, "This is not a voter ID bill. This is about purging the voter rolls in a massive way, so you never even get the chance to show a voter ID when you showed up to vote because you’d be knocked off the rolls."

Schumer has labeled the entire package "Jim Crow 2.0," warning it "could disenfranchise millions of American citizens." Thune, referencing the Pew poll, countered that likening voter ID to Jim Crow "insults the overwhelming majority of Americans — including minorities — who look at voter ID and see nothing more than common sense."

Trump also wants to add more restrictions to the bill. His proposed changes include major new limitations on mail-in voting, as well as provisions targeting trans athletes and gender-affirming surgeries for minors. Trump's additions show how far this bill goes beyond just voter ID—it's become a catch-all for Republican priorities.

Senate Showdown Looms

House Republicans already passed one version of the SAVE America Act, largely along party lines, in February. Now, the battle moves to the Senate, where Republicans plan to bring the legislation to a floor vote this week. Senate Majority Leader Thune stated his intention to hold the vote to "put Democrats on the record" regarding the bill.

Getting this through the Senate won't be easy. They need 60 votes to break a filibuster, which means they can't do this alone. Republicans have 53 seats, so they'd need at least seven Democrats to cross over—or they'd have to blow up the filibuster.

Nobody knows which version Thune's actually bringing to the floor; there are multiple drafts floating around. "We don't yet know what Thune is doing... but we're prepared for every possible scenario," Schumer told reporters, emphasizing his caucus's unified opposition. He added, "My caucus really feels strongly that this would be a horror... one of the worst things that's happened in the history of this country in terms of allowing people to vote."

Democrats are locked in opposition and Republicans don't have the votes, so this bill's got a real problem.