Ted Cruz

For nearly 250 years, Americans have cast their votes for leaders at every level, from local officials to state representatives to the President of the United States.

Every member of this body is here today

because we were elected fairly and honestly and given a mandate by our constituents to serve them here in Washington and to protect the liberties and freedoms our founders fought to preserve.

The power of the ballot box determines the course of our nation, the history we are writing, and the freedoms that we continue to defend.

And while no single ballot in isolation may seem decisive, together

The votes of the American people shape the course of our nation and the course of history.

But it is worth remembering that our voting system did not begin as it exists today.

When this nation was founded, the right to vote was limited, and over time, through debate, sacrifice, a bloody civil war, and constitutional amendment, the right to vote was quite properly expanded.

The 15th Amendment prohibited denying the vote based on race.

The 19th Amendment guaranteed women the right to vote.

And the 26th Amendment lowered the voting age to 18.

At every stage of our constitutional amendment process, the goal was the same, to ensure that the right to vote belonged to American citizens and that it was exercised with integrity.

And while our system has evolved, one principle has remained constant.

Elections reflect the will of the American people for a right so sacred, for a privilege so hard fought.

It is shocking, it is tragic, how neglected and vulnerable the protection of our elections has become.

That is why I'm here today on this very floor urging the members of this body to pass the Save America Act.

It says that when you register to vote in a federal election, you must provide proof that you are a citizen of the United States and you must provide photo ID to vote.

In simple terms, that's it.

This is not some radical politicized or weaponized piece of legislation designed to restrict Americans from voting.

It is a common sense measure that protects the integrity of our elections by ensuring that American citizens and only American citizens are voting in them.