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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06)

WASHINGTON  – Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) voted in favor of H.R. 22, the SAVE America Act, introduced by Rep. Chip Roy (TX-21). The bill would require proof of citizenship to register to vote, remove non-citizens from state voter rolls, and require a valid photo ID to vote. It would also mandate in-person verification of citizenship during voter registration.

“The SAVE Act is a crucial step in preserving the integrity of our elections,” said Rep. Cline. “The right to vote is one of the most sacred responsibilities of American citizenship. Ensuring that only U.S. citizens participate in federal elections is a commonsense safeguard that upholds the rule of law and strengthens public confidence in our democratic system. My vote sends a clear message that Republicans are committed to defending free and fair elections and to protecting the voice of every eligible American voter.”

Currently, in several states, non-citizens have been able to obtain driver’s licenses, creating loopholes where these individuals can illegally register and vote in federal elections. While federal law reserves voting in federal elections as a scarce privilege for U.S. citizens, it has often undermined state efforts to enforce proof-of-citizenship requirements.

Congressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and a Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN-04)

Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) announced that the Presidential 1776 Award, a new national civics competition formed in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education as part of the America 250 celebration, is accepting registrations through February 21, 2026.

“I am excited to announce that the Presidential 1776 Award competition is accepting registrations,” said Congressman Baird. “This is an exciting opportunity for young Hoosiers to test their civics knowledge and showcase their interest in the founding of America, the greatest nation in history. I encourage every high school student in our district to apply, and I wish every participating student the best of luck. I know you will make our country proud.” 
 
About the Presidential 1776 Award: 
 
The Presidential 1776 Award is a nationwide civics competition for high school students interested in early American history and government. The competition focuses on the American Revolution and the key moments in the founding of our nation.
 
The competition is organized by the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education. The top finalists will have an opportunity to compete for three scholarships up to $150,000.

Students compete in three stages:  

1. Online multiple-choice exam. 
2. Regional semi-final competitions. 
3. A national final competition at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. 
 
 
Testing opens on February 22, 2026, and closes on March 1, 2026.  
 
For full rules and regulations, click here. To learn more about the contest, click here. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

Headline: Moolenaar Supports SAVE America Act to Secure Federal Elections

Today, Congressman John Moolenaar voted for the SAVE America Act; legislation which strengthens election integrity by requiring proof of U.S. citizenship and valid photo identification to vote in federal elections. The bill requires states to verify citizenship during voter registration and ensures non-citizens are removed from federal voter rolls. 

“Voting is a fundamental right for American citizens and only citizens should be able to vote in our elections. Last year, Michigan reported that foreign nationals were able to cast a ballot in the 2024 election. This is completely unacceptable. It makes clear that reforms are needed to stop non-citizens from registering and casting a vote. The SAVE America Act takes common sense steps to protect the integrity of our elections, restore confidence in the system, and ensure the law is enforced,” said Moolenaar.  

Last year, Moolenaar led his republican colleagues in Congress in calling on Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to explain her failures in preventing non-citizens from voting in the 2024 election. 

The SAVE America Act would require voters to present a photo ID when they cast a ballot and requires states to check for ineligible voters on their voter rolls at least once per month. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Aderholt voted ‘Yes’ on the SAVE America Act, which passed through the House of Representatives.

The SAVE America Act requires proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections and strengthens election integrity standards.

“I am proud to have voted ‘Yes’ on the SAVE America Act to ensure that American elections are fair and free. We need to restore confidence in our voters and integrity in our elections, because it’s common-sense that American elections should be decided by American voters, and American voters only,” said Congressman Aderholt.

The Pew Research Center shows that 83% of Americans support requiring all voters to show government issued photo identification.

Americans need to use a photo I.D. to check into hotels, buy alcohol or tobacco, open a bank account, board a flight, donate blood, buy cold medicine. The SAVE America Act would simply add “voting in a federal election” to that list.  

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) and U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME) are demanding answers to their unanswered questions regarding the recent surge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) activity in Maine. In a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Acting Director of ICE Todd Lyons, the members of the Maine Delegation called for a detailed explanation and update about ICE’s presence in Maine, including what their mission is and who they are targeting.

The letter comes on the heels of ICE’s enforcement actions in Maine, inappropriately called “Operation Catch of the Day,” which began nearly three weeks ago. Since its start, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has provided no formal information on the people arrested and their legal status beyond a list of 19 people on its website. Meanwhile, DHS claims that several hundred people have been detained.

“We write to request your prompt response to our outstanding questions regarding Immigration and Customs Enforement’s (ICE) recent surge in activity in Maine. It has been 22 days since the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that ICE would launch “Operation Catch of the Day” (OCOTD) in Maine. The January 20, 2026, announcement from DHS stated that this operation was “an immigration enforcement effort across the state of Maine targeting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens who have terrorized communities.” ICE officials told the media in Maine that the target for the operation was 1,400 individuals and that roughly 200 individuals have reportedly been apprehended thus far. The DHS website “Worst of the Worst” lists only 19 individuals apprehended in Maine,” the lawmakers began. 

The lawmakers continued, “On January 29, 2026, we learned from Senator Collins that Secretary Noem would be halting the operation; however, we have not seen any written correspondence corroborating this announcement. While state and municipal leaders along with stakeholders in Maine have reported a reduction in ICE’s presence related to this recent surge—absent a formal notice from DHS of the end of the operation—we have outstanding questions regarding the scope of this operation as detailed in various correspondence with the Legislative Affairs offices of DHS and ICE.”

The full text of the letter can be found here and below.

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Dear Secretary Noem and Director Todd Lyons:

We write to request your prompt response to our outstanding questions regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) recent surge in activity in Maine.

It has been 22 days since the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that ICE would launch “Operation Catch of the Day” (OCOTD) in Maine. The January 20, 2026, announcement from DHS stated that this operation was “an immigration enforcement effort across the state of Maine targeting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens who have terrorized communities.” ICE officials told the media in Maine that the target for the operation was 1,400 individuals and that roughly 200 individuals have reportedly been apprehended thus far. The DHS website “Worst of the Worst” lists only 19 individuals apprehended in Maine.

On January 29, 2026, we learned from Senator Collins that Secretary Noem would be halting the operation; however, we have not seen any written correspondence corroborating this announcement.

While state and municipal leaders along with stakeholders in Maine have reported a reduction in ICE’s presence related to this recent surge—absent a formal notice from DHS of the end of the operation—we have outstanding questions regarding the scope of this operation as detailed in various correspondence with the Legislative Affairs offices of DHS and ICE. To address these urgent concerns, we request that you provide answers to the following questions and information requests by Wednesday, February 18, 2026:

1. Please confirm whether Operation Catch of the Day is ongoing in Maine?
   1. Please clarify if the operation has been completely halted, reduced, or has not yet changed?
   2. If it has only been reduced, please detail the current scope and nature of this operation?
   3. What further information can ICE provide regarding any ongoing activity?
2. What is the objective of launching “OCOTD” in Maine?
3. Which individuals are being targeted?
4. How many DHS/ICE (any federal) agents were deployed to Maine specificallyfor “OCOTD?”
   1. How many additional agents have arrived to Maine for this operation?
   2. What agencies did they represent?
5. What is the total number of arrests made to date (from the time you are responding to this inquiry) as part of OCOTD?
   1. Barring any legal restrictions, please provide a name and justification for each criminal arrest—such as what is posted on DHS’ “Worst of the Worst” website and clarify whether the individual has been convicted of or just charged with the crime listed?
   2. Where are detainees apprehended in this operation being taken (please list name of states and facilities)?
   3. Among those arrested, do any have final removal orders?
   4. Among those arrested, how many have criminal convictions verses criminal charges
   5. How many discretionary arrests of asylum seekers?
   6. How many arrests are of refugees whom US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have decided to re-interview?
6. Please share where and how ICE compiled its list of “1,400 targets” for OCOTD?
7. Why are detainees of OCOTD who are asylum seekers, those without a criminal record, and waiting to appear before an immigration judge, being taken into custody?
8. There have been numerous arrests of individuals without criminal records—what is the justification for these arrests? This is contrary to the DHS statement that the objective of OCOTD is to arrest the “worst of the worst.”
   1. How is ICE classifying “the worst of the worst?”
   2. Does this include those with parking citations, for example?
9. Are there any concurrent, separate operation(s) and/or targets being pursued in tandem with OCOTD?
   1. If so, please what are those operation(s)?
   2. Are there any U.S. citizens on ICE’s target list in Maine?
10. It appears the individuals who have been listed in DHS’s announcement about “Operation Catch of the Day” do not also appear on the “”Worst of the Worst” website under Maine arrests, despite being characterized as “worst of the worst”? Please explain.

We have repeatedly asked for this basic information over the past three weeks. Senator King made request on January 23; Congresswoman Pingree sent you a letter with a similar series of questions on January 22; and further, we have jointly requested to be briefed on your agency’s operation—all with no response. We expect answers to the questions posed here, as well as responses to our previous inquiries, within a week, as congressional oversight is not optional. 

Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. 

Sincerely,

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued a statement after successfully forcing and winning a House vote to terminate Trump’s national emergency declaration and tariffs on Canada.

“Last year, American families paid nearly $1,700 more as a direct result of Trump’s tariffs. The price of goods from Canada rose by as much as 35%, while U.S. exports to Canada fell by 21%, further harming U.S. small businesses and farmers. The American people sent us to Congress to lower their cost of living, not drive it up.

“For months, Republicans blocked a vote on Trump’s illegal tariffs, choosing procedural games over their responsibility to the people they represent. Today, Democrats, joined by several Republicans, were able to force that vote and put Republicans on record. The question was simple: stand with working families and lower costs, or keep prices high out of loyalty to Donald Trump? House Democrats will continue fighting to lower costs, even if most Republicans won’t.” 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil (R-Wis.), Congressman Chip Roy (R-Texas), and election integrity advocates in a press conference celebrating House passage of the SAVE America Act. 

Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full remarks.
Leader Scalise’s remarks:“Thank you, Chip. I appreciate your leadership and all the people up here, and especially those friends from the outside world that have been focusing on this for a long time.“The House of Representatives, led by Republicans, came together tonight and said, we will protect the sanctity of your vote. It’s so important. You think about the military veteran who risked his life overseas to defend our freedoms, and he comes back home, and his vote will be stolen if somebody’s able to vote illegally. It happens. I come from a state where our elections commissioner was sent to federal prison. We all know it goes on, and how can you protect it?“Then, when you listen to the arguments by the Democrats, it was some of the most embarrassing, hypocritical debate you could hear. They’re talking about voter suppression. Well, let me tell you, and it’s been brought up, try getting on an airplane and flying home tonight without showing a picture ID. Try going into a bar without showing a picture ID. Try getting into the Democrat National Convention without showing an ID. They required it. The same Democrats that are saying things like ‘Jim Crow’ said you have to have an ID to get into their own convention because they know it’s common sense if you want to have a secure operation in anything, and elections are the most important franchise we have in America to protect democracy.“So, yes, we had a really important vote. Great to see one Democrat. Really perplexing why every other Democrat — you wanted to support voter fraud. That’s really what you’re supporting if you voted no tonight. You’re saying you’re okay with voter fraud, and that’s a disgrace. Look at states that have done this. Georgia, they said all those same things, by the way, in the state of Georgia, that passed a voter ID requirement. What happened in the next election after? You had actually higher voter participation…“So you will increase confidence amongst legal voters with this provision. And that’s why it’s so important that the Senate take this up and find a way to get it to President Trump’s desk. President Trump wants this bill on his desk so he can sign it into law and give even stronger protections to all Americans, over 80% who strongly want the protection of the sanctity of their vote.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — Following House passage of the SAVE America Act, Speaker Johnson hosted a press conference alongside House Republican Leadership, House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil, Congressman Chip Roy, and election integrity advocates from around the country.

Speaker Johnson highlighted that all but one House Democrat voted against protecting the integrity of American elections and encouraged Senate Democrats to vote for this commonsense legislation supported by more than 80% of the American people.

“Proof of citizenship and photo ID to vote; everyone in the country understands the necessity of that and understands how simple it is and how important it is,” Speaker Johnson said. “And the only people that oppose it are people who want to cheat our system, who want to participate in our elections illegally unlawfully.”

Watch Speaker Johnson’s press conference remarks here.

Below are Speaker Johnson’s remarks as delivered:

Good evening, everybody. This was a very important night on the House Floor. House Republicans tonight stood with the overwhelming majority of Americans who demand secure elections. Standing with me are some of the champions of this cause in the House and some of the leaders outside our Chamber who’ve been working on this issue to ensure this integrity for quite some time. And this is a big achievement tonight by voting for the SAVE America Act.

House Republicans did exactly what the American people sent us here to do. It’s promises made, promises kept. Ensuring the integrity of elections is an essential issue. It’s essential to maintaining our constitutional republic. And everybody in this country seems to understand and agree to that. This is about a 90/10 issue in the polling because all that we’ve done tonight in this simple piece of legislation is apply common sense. 

All this SAVE America Act does is it enhances the SAVE act, which you’ve already passed twice before, which says that you have to have proof of citizenship before you register to vote in federal elections. The law already provides for that, but we need to ensure that it’s enforced. And the second part of it, what we added tonight and what is part of the SAVE America Act is the second piece, the very commonsense requirement that you have a photo ID if you’re going to vote. So that’s it, that’s what the bill does. Proof of citizenship and photo ID to vote. Everyone in the country understands the necessity of that, understands how simple it is and how important it is. And the only people that oppose it are people who want to cheat our system, who want to participate in our elections illegally unlawfully. 

And that’s not fair to the American people and the citizens of this country. And so, we had only one House Democrat participate with us tonight. This has become a bitter partisan fight in its madness to us. We can’t quite understand what the rationale is for opposing a free and fair election, but they’re going to have to explain this to the people, and they’re going to have a hard time doing that. Now, this bill, having passed the House, will now go to the Senate, and we are encouraging all of our Senate Republican colleagues who believe in this just as we do, to try to get this thing through the system to pass it there. And we’re hoping that some Democrats in the Senate will come to their senses and do the right thing for the people. Otherwise, they got a lot of explaining to do, as we say down in the South. 

This is something that is overdue. It’s something that’s common sense. It’s something that comports with what the American people want. And there’s really just one question that would linger over all this. Now, will Senate Democrats continue to cater to their extreme left-wing base or are they going to finally join the overwhelming majority of Americans on this commonsense reform?

But I’ll tell you this, once again, Republicans have demonstrated that we are the party of common sense. We are the party that’s delivering exactly what the American people sent us here to do. And we will continue that.

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