Johnson adds voter ID requirements to budget bill to bypass filibuster

House Speaker Mike Johnson has attached voter identification and proof-of-citizenship requirements to a $95 billion budget reconciliation bill. The move is designed to bypass the Senate filibuster, as reconciliation bills only need a simple majority to pass. Democrats oppose the measure, arguing it could suppress voter turnout. Johnson, a Republican, says the requirements are necessary to ensure election integrity. The bill, known as the SAVE America Act, includes funding for various programs but the voting provisions have become a focal point of debate. Budget reconciliation is a special process that allows certain fiscal legislation to pass the Senate with 51 votes instead of the usual 60, making it harder for the minority party to block. By attaching the voter ID and citizenship requirements to this bill, Johnson aims to advance them through Congress without needing Democratic support. However, the plan faces opposition from voting rights groups who say such requirements disproportionately affect minorities and low-income voters. The bill is expected to be debated in the coming weeks, with both parties digging in on their positions.