Rep. Randy Weber e-Newsletter

SAVE Act

This week, I joined Speaker Mike Johnson, Congressman Chip Roy, and Senator Mike Lee to announce the introduction of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act. Amid the worst border crisis in American history, the SAVE Act would ensure that only U.S. citizens vote in federal elections by requiring proof of citizenship to register.

Since taking office, Joe Biden’s administration has released at least 4.6 million illegal aliens into the country, with 1.8 million known “gotaways.” In many states, these illegal aliens are eligible for driver’s licenses and other benefits, providing ample opportunities to illegally register to vote in Federal elections. In some jurisdictions, non-citizens are even able to vote in local elections. While only U.S. citizens can legally vote in Federal elections, Federal law has generally preempted and undermined state laws requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote in such elections.

The SAVE Act would:

Amend the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), which has governed state voter registration since 1993, to require states to obtain documentary proof of U.S. citizenship and identity – in person – when registering an individual to vote in a Federal election.
- This requirement applies regardless of whether an individual is registering to vote at a DMV, a voter registration agency (such as a welfare office), or by mail.
- Direct states to establish an alternative process for applicants who may not have documentary proof of citizenship but are, in fact, U.S. citizens (due to religious reasons or otherwise), subject to minimum standards set by the Election Assistance Commission and signed attestations and affidavits by both the applicant and official making the determination.
- Direct states to provide reasonable accommodations for disabled Americans and applicants who have discrepancies in their documentation due to a name change.
Require states to establish a program to remove non-citizens from their existing voter rolls and give states no-cost access to Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration databases to do so.
Empower citizens to bring civil suits against election officials that fail to uphold proof of citizenship requirements for Federal elections by expanding the NVRA’s existing private right of action, and adds penalties for election officials that register non-citizens to vote in Federal elections.
Direct the Election Assistance Commission to promptly update any guidance associated with the SAVE Act and streamline updates to federal forms by exempting the updates from the Paperwork Reduction Act.

Poll Question of the Week

Should illegal aliens vote in our elections?

Yes

No

Around DC

Here is a recap of what the House of Representatives passed this week:

In Article I, the Constitution requires the government to conduct a census of the population every ten years, upon which the apportionment of U.S. House Representatives and presidential electors for each state is based.

While only citizens of the United States are able to vote for their preferred candidates for federal offices, the current practice for apportionment wrongly includes noncitizens from the census count, such as illegal immigrants, in a state’s population for the purpose of calculating how many Representatives and electors are allocated to each state. This unfairly benefits states with higher noncitizen residents over states with a lower concentration of noncitizens, resulting in the former getting a higher apportionment of Representatives and electors and, hence, a stronger voice in the federal government.

Without Congress taking action to change this practice, the more than 7.2 million illegal immigrants who have entered our country under President Biden will be included in the 2030 census for congressional and federal representation. This is common sense: It is unfair to include noncitizens and illegal immigrants in apportioning the number of House Representatives and electors allocated to each state.

We passed the Equal Representation Act, which requires the decennial census to include a citizenship question and excludes noncitizens from the population on which the apportionment of U.S. House Representatives and electors for each state is based. EVERY House Democrat voted to give illegal aliens representation in Congress.

In 1975, Congress established the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) to increase American energy production, encourage efficient energy use, and bolster national energy security. Under the EPCA, the Department of Energy (DOE) sets efficiency standards for 60 product categories – but these standards must be cost-effective, significantly save energy, and be technologically feasible.

Unfortunately, President Biden’s DOE has consistently abused its authority to push a radical energy agenda on American families and consumers, attempting to implement conservation standards that are neither economically justifiable nor significantly more energy efficient. Additionally, the Biden DOE’s proposed standards aim to shut down the use of natural gas and force electric appliances on the American people, regardless of cost, performance, or availability – putting their radical Green New Deal agenda before the needs of hardworking Americans.

These overreaching rules take away consumer choice, burden American families, and force Americans to use expensive appliances that do not perform as well. While the Biden Administration fights to unleash a stream of new burdensome regulations for a multitude of vital home appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerators, air conditioners, and dryers, House Republicans passed legislation to protect consumer choice and keep government agencies out of your home.

The Hands Off Our Home Appliances Act prevents the Secretary of Energy and the DOE from implementing new or amended energy efficiency standards for appliances that are not technologically feasible and economically justified.

Around the District

Team Weber proudly recognized Nicole York as the Rural Business Owner of the Year, an honor bestowed upon her by the Small Business Administration. Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, and Nicole's achievement is truly remarkable. Congratulations, Nicole, on this tremendous accomplishment! They participate in the professional development event hosted by the Better Business Bureau of Southeast Texas. Additionally, they joined the Timber Creek Church - Groves Campus grand opening celebrations, organized by the Groves Chamber of Commerce & Tourist Bureau and the Port Neches Chamber of Commerce.To finish the week in Galveston County, they actively engaged in the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting. Chief Appraiser Krystal McKinney of the Galveston Central Appraisal District shared valuable insights as the guest speaker.

Recent Legislation

Legislation cosponsored:

H.R. 8321 - To require person convicted of unlawful activity on the campus of an institution of higher education beginning on and after October 7, 2023, to provide community service in Gaza.
H.R. 8322 - To revoke visas of certain aliens for rioting or unlawful protests, and for other purposes.
H.Res. 1211 - Condemning the violent, anti-American and anti-Israel protests that are occurring on campuses of institutions of higher education nationwide.
H.R. 8279 - To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to clarify that gain or loss on the sale or exchange of certain coins or bullion is exempt from recognition.
H.R. 8281 - 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, and for other purposes.
H.R. 8282 - To impose sanctions with respect to the International Criminal Court engaged in any effort to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute any protected person of the United States and its allies.

Last Week's Survey Results

It is a privilege to represent our district in Congress. While we’ve faced many challenges in recent years, through strength and prayer, we have persevered.

Please know that we are always a resource for you. Call or stop by any of the offices (YOUR offices, we work for you), whenever you need assistance or want to talk about an issue before Congress.

For assistance or more information, please call or go online to visit us at weber.house.gov.

God Bless you and God Bless Texas!

Sincerely,

Randy K. Weber