Ignoring Jewish Community Opposition, House Passes H.R.22 the SAVE Act Voter Suppression Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2025
Contact: Lynsey Billet, lynsey@anatgerstein.com, 347-361-8449
WASHINGTON – Today anti-democratic House lawmakers have decided to advance H.R. 22, the so-called SAVE (“Safeguard American Voter Eligibility”) Act, which would limit voter registration to only those who can produce a Passport or Birth Certificate – documents that nearly 150 million Americans would struggle to provide. Today House lawmakers have made it clear: they don’t care about the voices of millions of citizens who could lose their freedom to vote under this law.
“This is a federal voter suppression bill plain and simple,” said Ann Toback, CEO of the Workers Circle. “Republican leaders in Congress are trying to undermine tens of millions of Americans’ freedom to vote because they know the vast majority of voters are not behind their regressive agenda. We’ll not rest until this bill is defeated in the Senate.”
Election officials already confirm Americans’ identity and eligibility when registering to vote. Because of this, voter fraud is vanishingly rare. The Workers Circle community has made the impact of this bill clear to legislators, calling and emailing in the hundreds of thousands to share how HR 22 will disenfranchise tens of millions of eligible Americans. We organized more than 25 Jewish organizations to come together to speak out on this matter and share the undeniable impact this will have on our communities. Yet a majority of Representatives have decided they care more about perpetuating a divisive lie about noncitizen voting than protecting American citizens’ freedom to vote.
The impacts of this voter suppression bill could not be more devastating on everyday Americans. Tens of millions of married women who changed their names when they got married will not be able to re-register to vote after moving. Rural voters will have to drive hours, some to different states, to provide proof of citizenship. Election offices already overburdened and understaffed will need to spend thousands more tax payer dollars just to keep up with these new administrative burdens. Senior voters who have been voting for decades will find themselves spending $160 on a tight fixed income budget for a passport that they will never use to travel or losing their right to vote.
The SAVE Act is just the most recent trojan horse designed to limit citizen participation in our democracy. Instead of placing costly and confusing administrative burdens on registering voters, Congress should be finding ways to clear the path for citizens to exercise their voting rights by passing the Freedom to Vote Act, John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, the Native American Voting Rights Act and DC Statehood.
About the Workers Circle
Celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2025, the Workers Circle is a national, Jewish social justice organization founded by Eastern European immigrants who came to the United States fleeing autocracy and persecution, and seeking democratic freedoms and economic opportunities. That history drives the organization’s work for an inclusive democracy and social equality today. The Workers Circle’s activism is rooted in 1,000 years of Yiddish culture and tradition. Through strategic and impactful social justice initiatives, vibrant Yiddish language classes and programs, and interactive educational activities, the Workers Circle powers a multigenerational community of activists that is building “a better and more beautiful world for all.” Learn more at www.circle.org.
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