President Donald Trump is ramping up pressure on Congress to pass major election legislation, insisting it include provisions targeting transgender people.
The bill, the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act), would require Americans registering to vote in federal elections to provide documentation of their U.S. citizenship and comply with stricter voter identification rules. Republicans claim the measure is aimed at preventing noncitizens from voting, but such voting is already illegal and documented cases are extremely rare.
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President Trump: “Great job by the hard-working Scott Pressler on Fox & Friends talking about using the filibuster to pass the American Rescue Act.” he wrote on the social media platform on Sunday.Truth Social mentioned a gay conservative activist’s appearance on Fox News’ morning show. “It has to be done immediately. It takes precedence over everything else. It has to go to the front lines.”
Trump also outlined additional provisions he would like to include in the bill, including banning transgender women from participating in women’s sports and banning gender-affirming health care for minors, and urged Republicans not to pass what he called a “watered-down version” of the bill.
Related: How the Republican SAVE America Act will disenfranchise married and LGBTQ+ Americans
“As President, I will not sign any other legislation until this one passes,” he wrote.
“Go for the money: Must show voter ID and proof of citizenship: No mail-in voting for non-military reasons such as illness, disability, travel, etc.: No men in women’s sports: No transgender sexual abuse of children! Don’t fail!!!,” Trump added.
Voting rights advocates said: defender That means the SAVE Act itself could pose a barrier for voters. The measure would require documentation of citizenship to register, meaning people whose legal documents don’t match their current name could face new hurdles when voting, including many married and transgender Americans.
The White House did not immediately respond. defender’s Request for comments.
Just last week, President Trump announced a list of policy priorities that included a ban on gender reassignment surgery for minors. An earlier version briefly included an exception allowing such care subject to “the express written approval of the parents,” but a subsequent revised version of the post removed that language.
The president has repeatedly brought up transgender issues in speeches and on the campaign trail, often inserting them into unrelated policy discussions. At rallies and public statements, Trump frequently claims that Democrats support “transgender for all,” using the phrase as shorthand for broader cultural grievances, even when discussing topics such as education, health care and government spending.
Source: Advocate.com – www.advocate.com
