Video Vault: McCabe on SAVE Act Standoff Gripping Capitol Hill

South Shore Press Managing Editor Stefan Mychajliw spoke with White House correspondent and South Shore Press columnist Neil W. McCabe about the debate in Washington over voter identification requirements and the future of election legislation in Congress.

Stefan Mychajliw: Neil, what's the latest on requiring an ID to vote?

Neil W. McCabe: "Support for voter ID is widespread among Americans. The debate now centers on the SAVE Act, which would establish proof-of-citizenship requirements for federal voter registration. The House passed it, but Senate Republicans have said they currently don't have the votes to move it forward."

Stefan Mychajliw: Where does President Trump fit into this?

Neil W. McCabe: "The president has said he wants the SAVE Act passed and has tried to use other legislation as leverage. But because Congress remains in pro forma session, there are constitutional limits on how that strategy can play out."

Stefan Mychajliw: If Republicans control the White House, House and Senate, why hasn't it happened?

Neil W. McCabe: "A group of House conservatives is refusing to advance other business until the Senate acts on the SAVE Act. Meanwhile, some Republican senators support the measure, but Senate leadership has not brought it to a vote."

Stefan Mychajliw: So where does this go from here?

Neil W. McCabe: "House conservatives are signaling they won't back down. They believe election legislation should take priority over other items on the congressional agenda, and they're willing to use procedural votes as leverage."

Stefan Mychajliw: What's driving the resistance in the Senate?

Neil W. McCabe: "Some conservatives argue that long-serving Republican leaders are reluctant to change the current election system. They believe Senate leadership is more focused on maintaining the status quo than advancing the legislation, creating a standoff that's likely to continue until one side changes its position."