Sen. Andy Kim: Save America Act is a ‘modern-day poll tax’

By Sabrina Jacobs

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 18: U.S. Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) attends a rally to speak out against the SAVE America Act outside the U.S. Capitol on March 18, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Heather Diehl/Getty Images)

Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) wants to make one thing clear: The SAVE America Act is a modern-day poll tax. 

As Kim said in an exclusive video for Democracy Docket: “Trump has a vision for America: Billionaires buy influence, politicians pick their voters, you pay to vote.”

Passing the SAVE America Act is the final step in realizing this vision.

The House-passed version of the SAVE America Act requires showing documentary proof of citizenship at registration and voter ID at the polls. It also mandates regular purges of the voter rolls. Trump’s version goes even further. He wants to ban no-excuse vote by mail, as well as targeting trans people by banning trans athletes in women’s sports and gender-affirming care for minors. 

Trump is determined to get the SAVE America Act over the line. So determined, in fact, that he says he’ll refuse to sign any legislation until the SAVE America Act lands on his desk.

Throughout the last week, as the Senate has debated the measure, Kim has had a front-row seat to the chaos. On Tuesday, he took the floor in opposition to the SAVE America Act, exposing the truth about Trump’s motivation. 

“Instead of working to lower costs… Instead of ending this war and getting gas prices down…Instead of focusing on working families… Donald Trump has Senate Republicans here to peddle a bill because, in his words, ‘it’ll guarantee the midterms,’” Kim said.

Trump’s proof of citizenship requirement will prevent millions of Americans from voting. Women who changed their last names will face obstacles proving their identity. Elderly or disabled voters without access to transportation will struggle to vote in person. 

On Trump’s part, this is not an oversight. It’s deliberate. As Kim explains in his video for Democracy Docket, “The SAVE America Act makes it clear whose voice Trump is interested in. And it isn’t yours.” 

Kim emphasizes that it shouldn’t cost any money to vote in America — it is an essential right. But for Trump, the harder it is for women and young people to vote, the better. 

As Sen. Kim summed it up in his Democracy Docket short, “Donald Trump is at the weakest point in his presidency, and he’s grasping to hold onto power.”