Video News Clips: In Their Own Words

‘Racist, Misogynistic Trash’: Democratic Rep Throws Tirade Over SAVE America Act On House Floor

Dem Rep Throws Tirade Over SAVE America Act (Screenshot/CSPAN)

Democratic Illinois Rep. Delia Ramirez unleashed a fiery speech on the House floor Wednesday blasting Republicans over the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act.

The SAVE Act would mandate proof of U.S. citizenship and valid photo identification for participation in federal elections. Ramirez tore into GOP lawmakers as Republicans said the bill safeguards election integrity and ensures only U.S. citizens cast ballots.

“Look, as I hear my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, what I hear is the same racist, misogynistic trash, different decade,” Ramirez said. “Republicans are invoking historical policies intended, let’s be clear, to disenfranchise Americans, especially working people, women, students, indigenous people, and anyone who can’t afford the burdens of a new bill.”

Ramirez went further, saying that the SAVE America Act amounts to another GOP effort to scare and silence voters who stand in the way.

WATCH: 

“The SAVE America Act is yet another Republican attempt to intimidate and suppress the votes of anyone, anyone who threatens their extremist white supremacist agenda,” Ramirez added.

The fight over the SAVE Act escalated earlier this month as several House Republicans moved to tie the legislation to a government funding bill. President Donald Trump called on lawmakers to pass the spending package without amendments, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he backs the measure and plans to bring it to the floor after it clears committee.

Senate Democrats have blocked the SAVE Act for nine months, refusing to advance it after the House passed the bill last April, sending it into limbo under the chamber’s 60-vote threshold that has derailed major conservative priorities this Congress.

(Featured Image Media Credit: Screenshot/CSPAN)