Chuck Schumer claims SAVE Act would strip 'more than 20 million people' of their right to vote

WASHINGTON, DC: Chuck Schumer criticized the proposed SAVE America Act, claiming that the legislation could purge millions from voter rolls. 

The Senate minority leader also took aim at tech billionaire Elon Musk, alleging that an AI-driven system linked to his efforts could remove voters without notice. Schumer described the SAVE Act as a “pernicious” and “nasty” piece of legislation that he said could threaten voting rights across the country.

Chuck Schumer says 'millions would be purged' because of AI system set up by Elon Musk and DOGE

Speaking to reporters, Schumer claimed the legislation would allow large-scale purges of voter rolls using automated systems.

He alleged that an artificial intelligence system connected to efforts by Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) could remove millions of voters without notice.

The Democrat said, “Using an Al system set up by Musk and DOGE. So you could show up at the polling place this November, and they'd say you're no longer on the rolls. They don't even notify you of it.”

“Millions of people would be purged from their roles because of this system that Musk and DOGE put in. You wouldn't be notified you'd show up at the polling place, and they'd say, sorry, Mr Jones, sorry, mystery, Miss Smith. You're not, you're not on the rolls anymore. They don't even notify you,” he continued.

“This is one of the nastiest pieces of legislation that I’ve ever seen,” Schumer said, again comparing the proposal to the discriminatory voting practices of the Old South. He argued, “Where people were prohibited from voting and spreading it to every corner of America. It is Jim Crow 2.0. And when Trump says? That he will not sign any legislation.”

Chuck Schumer calls Trump’s SAVE Act proposal ‘pernicious’

Also, Chuck Schumer accused President Donald Trump and his allies of pushing legislation that he said would severely restrict voting rights across the US. 

Speaking to reporters, the Democrat warned that the bill would create widespread disruption in Congress if the president insisted on tying other legislation to its passage.

“Until the SAVE Act passes, that means the president's asking for total gridlock. The SAVE Act will not pass,” Schumer said, arguing that lawmakers would refuse to advance the measure. He described the proposal as “a pernicious, nasty piece of legislation,” adding that it would face strong opposition in Congress.

Schumer went on to argue that the requirements outlined in the bill could prevent millions of Americans from voting. “The SAVE Act is Jim Crow 2.0. More than 20 million people would lose their right to vote,” he said.

According to him, the legislation would require voters to present documents such as a passport or an original birth certificate to register. “How many people have that?” he asked, suggesting the rule could make it difficult for many citizens to participate in elections.

The Senate leader also warned, “It would eliminate vote by mail, tell that. To a senior citizen who's confined to their home in a wheelchair that they're going to lose their right to vote. And, he would purge the voter rolls.”