On Thursday, failed presidential candidate Hillary Clinton faced blowback for claiming a GOP bill “threatens” voting access for millions of married women.
Clinton, who is also a former United States senator and first lady, reacted to the House passing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which aims to require individuals to show proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in elections for federal office.
“Update: The House just passed the Republican voter suppression measure that threatens voting access for millions of Americans, including 69 million women whose married names don’t match their birth certificates,” Clinton said. “Make sure your senators know you expect them to stand against it.”
Update: The House just passed the Republican voter suppression measure that threatens voting access for millions of Americans, including 69 million women whose married names don’t match their birth certificates.
Make sure your senators know you expect them to stand against it. https://t.co/cYTismZC4U
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) April 10, 2025
The bill, introduced by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), seeks to “amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require proof of United States citizenship to register an individual to vote in elections for Federal office.” It also instructs states to remove noncitizens from voter rolls and establish a process for applicants lacking documentary proof to submit alternative evidence to verify U.S. citizenship.
Republican lawmakers responded to Clinton on X, via “quote” because she has replies turned off, by saying that her post was untrue.
“Stop. You are lying. Read the bill. And for the love of God, stop treating women like they are incapable or idiots,” said Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL).
Stop. You are lying. Read the bill. And for the love of God, stop treating women like they are incapable or idiots. https://t.co/7PYl361FyX
— Kat Cammack (@Kat_Cammack) April 10, 2025
“Hillary Clinton argues that the SAVE Act ‘threatens voting access’ for ’69 million women whose married names don’t match their birth certificates,’” said Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), who introduced a companion version of the bill in the Senate.
Hillary Clinton argues that the SAVE Act “threatens voting access” for “69 million women whose married names don’t match their birth certificates”
If that were true—and it’s definitely not—the same women would be unemployable as they’d be unable to complete an I-9, which… https://t.co/UzC6XgismP
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) April 10, 2025
“If that were true — and it’s definitely not — the same women would be unemployable as they’d be unable to complete an I-9, which requires proof of citizenship,” he added. “Her argument proves too much, is refuted by the plain text of the bill, and cannot withstand review.”
With a post of his own, Roy alluded to how four Democrats voted in support of the bill and said, “Just show an ID. Why would you not want to verify citizenship?”
“This is a nasty lie,” Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) said to Clinton, while Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) employed a “clown face” emoji.
Other Democrats, beyond Clinton, have perpetuated the claim that the bill creates an undue burden on legitimate voters — in particular, married women.
“House Republicans just passed a bill that would disenfranchise 70 million married American women,” said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). “Under the SAVE Act, women who took their spouse’s last name and don’t have an updated passport or birth certificate would be turned away at the polls.”
🚨House Republicans just passed a bill that would disenfranchise 70 million married American women.
Under the SAVE Act, women who took their spouse’s last name and don’t have an updated passport or birth certificate would be turned away at the polls.
— Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@RepAOC) April 10, 2025
Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC) shared a post that addressed the claim that the SAVE Act restricted married women’s right to vote.
“FACT: The SAVE Act directs states to establish a process for discrepancies, such as a name change, so that individuals can still register to vote,” the post said. “This bill lists forms of identification that a voter could provide when registering to vote, but that voter only needs to provide one document, including a driver’s license or any valid government-issued ID card.”
