House Democrats are gearing up to oppose a Republican-sponsored bill that mandates proof of U.S. citizenship for voting in federal elections. The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of election laws and increasing concerns about illegal immigration under President Joe Biden’s administration.

The House is scheduled to vote next week on the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. This proposed legislation would require voters to present “documentary proof of United States citizenship” to participate in federal elections. Acceptable forms of proof include a photo ID showing U.S. birth, a passport, or a birth certificate.

Additionally, the bill mandates the removal of all non-citizens from voter registration rolls. It requires election officials to request proof of citizenship from voter registration applicants and inform them of the legal repercussions of failing to provide such proof.

House Democrats, led by House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, are actively working to rally opposition to the bill. Clark’s office has advised Democrats to “VOTE NO” on the legislation, arguing that it would prevent Americans from registering to vote using only their driver’s license and would make a passport the “only acceptable standalone form of identification.”

The bill specifies that passports, military IDs, federal or state government-issued IDs paired with birth certificates, and other forms of identification would be acceptable. However, Clark’s office argues that the bill imposes an “extreme burden for countless Americans” and would “further intimidate election officials and overburden states’ abilities to enroll new voters.”

Republicans have maintained that requiring proof of citizenship is necessary to prevent non-citizens from voting in federal elections. House Speaker Mike Johnson has stated that the SAVE Act will “safeguard our elections by ensuring only American citizens vote in federal elections.” Johnson’s office also released a 22-page report justifying the bill, highlighting a loophole in current law where voters can simply attest to their citizenship without direct verification.