House Republicans passed the National Defense Authorization Act with the SAVE America Act attached in a 217-209 vote on Wednesday, sending the combined legislation to the Senate.
The measure advances a requirement for proof of U.S. citizenship during voter registration and strengthens voter identification rules ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The House first approved a procedural resolution to attach the election-integrity language to the must-pass defense bill, overcoming unified Democratic opposition.
Conservative lawmakers argued that embedding the provisions in essential national security legislation would make it harder for the Senate to set the issue aside.
The president has identified the SAVE America Act as a top legislative priority and has used other policy leverage to press for stronger federal election safeguards.
Two Democrats joined the majority in support, while one Republican opposed the measure.
One Republican lawmaker is leading a bipartisan effort to remove a section of the defense bill that would integrate U.S. and Israeli defense technology.
The legislation now moves to the Senate, where Democrats have pledged to oppose it and Republican leaders face procedural challenges in advancing the package.
