WASHINGTON — Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) charged Tuesday that Democrats are deliberately enabling undocumented immigrants to enter the United States to vote in federal elections, claiming the party wants "more than 12 million illegal aliens to invade this country" to cast ballots.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) echoed the accusation minutes later on the Senate floor during debate over the SAVE America Act, which would require strict proof-of-citizenship and identification requirements for voters in federal elections.
Cruz offered no evidence for his claims that Democrats have "chosen" to allow violent criminals into the U.S. or are actively working to make elections "insecure." He argued Democratic opposition to the voting bill stems from a desire for "voter fraud to be rampant and to be easy," asserting Democrats believe they "don't think they can win unless we allow people who are not legally allowed to vote to cast a ballot."
Voting by noncitizens in federal elections is illegal nationwide. Extensive studies, investigations and even the Trump Justice Department have found no evidence of widespread noncitizen voting.
Democrats and voting rights advocates strongly oppose the SAVE America Act, warning it could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters. They say the bill rests on debunked claims about noncitizen voting.
The legislation faces long odds in the Senate. Republicans lack the 60 votes needed to overcome a Democratic filibuster, and the bill is widely expected to fail.
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) amplified the GOP's accusations, telling reporters that Democrats have a plan for "allowing millions of illegal aliens to vote in elections meant for American citizens." Jordan claimed the Democratic Party wants to "let in 10 million, create sanctuary jurisdictions" and does not adequately fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Joanna Lydgate, CEO of the States United Democracy Center, told reporters that civil rights groups are preparing for the possibility that the Trump administration could use "violent ICE operations as a weapon" for political objectives, specifically near polling sites.
