WASHINGTON D.C (VINnews)-Rep. Addison McDowell, R-N.C., sharply criticized House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and fellow Democrats on Wednesday for opposing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, suggesting their stance raises questions about their intentions regarding election integrity.

In remarks highlighted on social media, McDowell stated: “I cannot imagine why Hakeem Jeffries doesn’t want voter ID, why Hakeem Jeffries doesn’t want to kick illegals off of our voter rolls. There’s only one explanation for that, and the Democrats need to answer that.”

McDowell, who represents North Carolina’s 6th Congressional District and serves on committees including Transportation and Infrastructure, Natural Resources, and the Budget, made the comments in reference to the SAVE Act (H.R. 22), a Republican-backed measure that requires documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for individuals registering to vote in federal elections. The bill, which has passed the House in previous sessions with largely partisan support, aims to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to prohibit states from processing federal voter registration applications without such proof.

Proponents of the legislation argue it is necessary to ensure only U.S. citizens participate in federal elections and to remove noncitizens from voter rolls, describing it as common-sense protection for electoral integrity amid concerns over border security and immigration.

Democrats, including Jeffries, have strongly opposed the bill, labeling it a form of voter suppression. Jeffries has previously called the SAVE Act a “nonstarter” in funding negotiations and a “voter suppression bill,” arguing that federal law already prohibits noncitizens from voting and that the requirement would impose unnecessary burdens on eligible voters. Critics of the measure contend it could disenfranchise millions of Americans who lack easy access to documents like passports or birth certificates, particularly affecting people of color, the elderly, young voters, and those who have changed names.

The SAVE Act has been a recurring point of contention in Congress, often attached to broader spending or funding bills, though it has faced resistance from Democrats who view it as redundant given existing prohibitions on noncitizen voting and state-level safeguards.

McDowell’s remarks, amplified through conservative media outlets including Newsmax, reflect ongoing Republican efforts to pressure Democrats on election security issues. No immediate response from Jeffries’ office was available regarding the specific comments.

The debate over the SAVE Act continues amid broader partisan divides on voting rights, immigration enforcement, and federal election administration.