House passes GOP bill requiring proof of citizenship to vote, boosting election-year talking point

Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has passed a bill requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration. It’s legislation Republicans have prioritized as an election-year talking point even as research shows noncitizens illegally registering and casting ballots in federal elections is exceptionally rare. Despite Wednesday’s House action, the bill is unlikely to advance through the Democratic-led Senate. Democrats and voting rights advocates have said it’s unnecessary because it’s already a felony for noncitizens to register to vote in federal elections, punishable by fines, prison or deportation. The Biden administration also says it’s strongly opposed, but has stopped short of saying it would veto the measure if it came to the president’s desk.