House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain, R-Mich., said Friday that House Republicans remain united behind President Donald Trump's push to enact the SAVE America Act, arguing the election measure is essential to restoring confidence in U.S. elections and should be attached to future must-pass legislation if it cannot advance on its own 

Speaking during an interview with "National Report," McClain said House Republicans have already approved the legislation multiple times and are now focused on increasing pressure on the Senate, where the bill has stalled.

"I can share with you in the House, we follow his lead," McClain said. "And he's right about the SAVE America Act. And so are we. It is an 80/20 issue and we control what we control in the House. That's why we've passed the SAVE America Act three times.

"What we're trying to do is have influence over the Senate, and we have to put the SAVE America Act on either reconciliation 3.0, or a must-pass piece of legislation," McClain continued. "But it's a very important piece of legislation that it has to get done."

McClain's comments came after Trump met privately with House Republican leaders at the Capitol this week as GOP lawmakers worked to break a legislative impasse that has disrupted House business.

Several conservative Republicans have demanded Senate action on the SAVE America Act before allowing other legislation to advance, creating tensions within the Republican conference.

The SAVE America Act would require voters to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship before registering to vote in federal elections and would establish additional procedures for states to verify voter eligibility.

Republicans argue the measure is needed to safeguard election integrity, while Democrats contend existing federal law already prohibits noncitizens from voting in federal elections and say the proposal could make voter registration more difficult for eligible Americans who lack readily available documentation.

Federal law already requires voter registration, while states verify voters' identity and eligibility under their own laws. 

Asked why the legislation is so important, McClain said Americans must have confidence in the nation's election system.

"The Democrats are all over the board," she said. "I mean, you saw [New York City Mayor Zohran] Mamdani. He's in support of voter ID My goodness gracious. You have to have two pieces of voter ID to shovel snow. But you don't need that voter ID for an election. I mean, come on."

"We have to have faith and trust in our elections," McClain continued. "That is very, very critical. And voter I.D. and in U.S., citizenship is not too much to ask for. One of the most important privileges as an American."

McClain also defended the Republican tax agenda, rejecting Democratic criticism that proposed tax relief primarily benefits wealthy Americans.

"We've put our money where our mouth is working families, tax cuts," she said. "We want Americans to keep more of their money in their pocket, because we actually believe that you, as an American, are better stewards of your money than the government."

Citing tax filing data, McClain said, "What we saw during tax season is 97% of people got a refund. But more importantly, of those, 97%, 70% made $100,000 or less. So don't believe the Democrats' lies that it's a tax break for the rich. Because last I checked, $100,000 wasn't rich necessarily in a millionaire in America.

"And I will remind everybody, every single Democrat voted to raise your taxes," she added.

McClain also addressed ongoing congressional efforts to reform college athletics through the SCORE Act, saying lawmakers are working to address issues surrounding name, image and likeness compensation and the transfer portal.

McClain said lawmakers are using the SCORE Act to address issues related to NIL compensation and the college athletics transfer portal.

"But there's some issues right now that we're trying to work through and we're trying to work through with the Senate," McClain said. "There's still quite a few issues to work out with the SCORE Act, but I'm confident, as always, we'll get it done."

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