The annual State of the Union Address has become must-see TV for many Americans, not just for the policy proposals and presidential proclamations, but for the performances that surround it. You can learn a lot about the differences between the parties based on how each side responds to what they’re hearing.
During his address to Congress last month, President Donald Trump invited Members of Congress to stand if they agreed with him that the first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal immigrants. The Republican side of the aisle stood in unison and applauded. The Democrat side offered nothing more than seated silence. You could see how the parties differed on a simple question about a major issue.
Protecting the American people from illegal immigration isn’t just about border security and public safety. It also means protecting our votes at the ballot box. Some politicians will try to convince us that this isn’t an issue worthy of attention. Well, every illegal vote chips away at the voice of lawful Americans and every unaddressed insecurity in how we register and how we vote weakens the trust of the people.
This is a concern I have been focused on for some time. In fact, I filed a lawsuit against the State of Illinois for permitting ballots to be counted up to two weeks after Election Day. In October, my case made it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, where the justices ruled 7-2 that my case had standing and deserved to move forward without dismissal. That means our case, and others similar to it, will be heard and so will our concerns about voter integrity and the negative impact of elections that drag on days beyond Election Day.
Make no mistake about it, this is a big deal. I hear from constituents across Southern Illinois all the time who are concerned about our elections. They want to know their rightful and legal vote isn’t being cancelled out by a ballot cast illegally. It’s an issue that’s on the front burner for the Trump administration, as well.
President Trump has implored Congress to make the SAVE Act the top priority this spring. The SAVE Act requires proof of citizenship to register; a valid, state-issued photo identification to cast a ballot; and accountability for cleaning up outdated and inaccurate voter rolls. It’s simple common sense: we require identification to board a plane, drive a car, rent an apartment, or pick up prescription medication — how can we say it doesn’t matter when we go to vote?
I’ve voted for the SAVE Act in the House. I support an updated version of the bill currently under consideration on Capitol Hill. Unfortunately, Democrats in the Senate have threatened to derail any movement on the SAVE Act by preventing the Republican majority from achieving the 60-vote threshold necessary to pass it. It’s frustrating, but that won’t stop me from working with President Trump to get the bill over the finish line.
Primary elections just wrapped up in Illinois; now the mad dash to November begins. Participation in the political process remains essential. Voting is both a right and a responsibility. Protecting that right requires vigilance. It requires lawmakers willing to stand up to defend the integrity of the process.
Securing our borders and securing our ballots go hand in hand. Both are essential to preserving our country. Only U.S. citizens should vote in U.S. elections.
Rep. Mike Bost represents Illinois’s 12th District in Congress.
