House Panel Advances Election Integrity Bills

A Republican-led congressional panel advanced two election integrity bills on May 23, sending them to the House floor after several Democrat-proposed amendments failed. The Committee on House Administration considered HR 8399, the Preventing Foreign Interference in American Elections Act, and HR 8281, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act introduced by Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) in early May. Chairman Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wis.) said the bills will “stop foreign influence in our elections, prevent non-citizens voting, and strengthen our election administration.” Ranking Democrat Rep. Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) called the bills an effort to “undermine” voters’ faith in American elections. Mr. Roy introduced the SAVE Act to prevent illegal immigrants from voting in federal elections. While Democrats contend that federal law already prohibits noncitizens from voting, Mr. Steil cited previous legislation and Supreme Court decisions that have made it difficult for states to impose rules stopping noncitizens from registering to vote....