Free and fair elections are fundamental to our system of government. This November, voters should be able to cast their ballots with complete confidence that the outcome will be representative of the American people.
Unfortunately, current lax voter registration laws have allowed noncitizens to register and vote in our federal elections. Only American citizens should be able to vote in American elections. Yet, 198 House Democrats just voted against the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, straightforward legislation that will require individuals to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.
While it is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in U.S. elections, it’s also illegal to evade Border Patrol to cross the southern border. … With millions of foreign nationals, including hundreds whose names appear on the terrorist watch list, legislation like this has become necessary to safeguard our elections.
Protecting the integrity of elections continues a fight from my days as a member of the Arkansas General Assembly. We passed a bill to establish voter ID in Arkansas and even overrode the then-Democrat governor’s veto attempt of the measure. I am proud that Arkansas has robust policies in place to ensure the fairness of our elections. Unfortunately, some states do not have the same requirements in place.
I firmly believe that the responsibility of carrying out elections should be left to individual states, as is clearly outlined in the Constitution (Article 1, Section 4). At the same time, the federal government has a responsibility to block foreign nationals from breaking the law to participate in our election process. The SAVE Act is common sense policy that will require nationwide proof of citizenship before registering to vote in federal elections – making it easier for states to lawfully carry out their elections.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
It’s a shame that the crisis at the southern border has escalated to a level that puts our elections at risk, making legislation like the SAVE Act necessary. I’ll always support legislation to ensure a safe, secure and legal election system, and I will continue to fight to secure the southern border and remove the millions of foreign nationals who are in our country illegally.
Focus on learning
Any parent, teacher or administrator can tell you that cellphones are the leading distraction and source of anxiety for students in schools. Unfortunately, there’s a lack of data on the real-time effects of cellphone usage in schools. (Recently), I introduced the Focus on Learning Act, bipartisan legislation that would fund a study to bridge the gap in data so local communities can have the information they need to appropriately alleviate those distractions and cultivate the best possible learning environment for our students. With Sen. Tom Cotton championing this bill in the Senate and Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders leading a similar initiative at the state level, Arkansas is well-positioned to set our students up for long-term success in the classroom.
Welcoming Arkansas students to D.C.
Washington, D.C., is rich with history, and students can learn a lot from visiting. Organizations like the Close Up Foundation give students the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of our country’s heritage and history. (Recently), I met with a few Arkansas students visiting our nation’s capital with Up Close. They asked incredible questions about civic engagement and the legislative process. I have no doubt they will each do great things!
Holding federal agencies accountable
In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo overturning the Chevron deference, I’m working with my House Republican colleagues to determine how agencies intend to comply with the rulemaking guidance. Since Chevron, federal agencies have had free rein to undermine our system of government and overburden everyday Americans by interpreting statutes and writing rules in ways that expanded their authority with very few limits. Thankfully, the Supreme Court corrected course. Now, we must underscore the implications of federal agencies’ overreach and remind them of the restored limitations on their authority.
Fighting back against radical overregulation
(Recently), House Republicans passed two bills to protect Americans’ consumer choice from the far left’s overreaching and flawed energy policies. The Biden Administration has repeatedly tried to place “efficiency” standards on home appliances, rendering basic home appliances like dishwashers, refrigerators and freezers useless and unaffordable. Frivolous standards set by D.C. bureaucrats should not hinder Americans’ ability to choose the appliances that work best for their budget and homes. H.R. 7637 and H.R. 7700 will prohibit the Secretary of Energy from enforcing energy standards that are not technologically feasible and economically justified for residential refrigerators, freezers and dishwashers. The passage of these bills continues House Republicans’ fight to defend consumer choice.
Bruce Westerman is a congressman who represents Arkansas’ 4th District.