Controversial Voter Eligibility Bill Advances Amidst Election Fraud Claims

The U.S. House of Representatives, driven by Donald Trump's election fraud assertions, approved a bill to ban non-citizens from registering to vote in federal elections. Despite already being illegal, the bill now faces a likely rejection in the Democratic-led Senate. Critics argue it's a voter suppression tactic that could erode public confidence in the election system.

The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives, driven by Donald Trump's false claims about election fraud, passed a bill on Wednesday to ban non-citizens from registering to vote in federal elections—a practice already illegal. The House voted 221-198 to approve the measure, citing concerns that non-citizens could potentially vote in the upcoming presidential and congressional elections.

Titled the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, the bill mandates proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration and requires states to purge suspected non-citizens from their voter rolls. The legislation, however, is projected to face significant opposition in the Democratic-led Senate, where it is expected to fail.

Democrats have criticized the bill as a voter suppression effort aimed at key constituencies, asserting that it is unlikely to protect elections but would complicate the registration process for eligible Americans. House Speaker Mike Johnson and other supporters argue the bill is necessary to prevent illegal voting and bolster election integrity, despite studies and experts indicating that non-citizen voting is exceedingly rare.

(With inputs from agencies.)