House Speaker Mike Johnson unveiled a significant election integrity reform proposal after meeting with former President Donald Trump at the latter’s Mar-a-Lago residence on Friday evening.
“Every single person who registers to vote in a Federal election must prove they’re an American citizen first” under the bill, Johnson told reporters. “Our bill would put us on par with virtually every other democracy around the world that also prohibits non-citizen voting.”
“It seems like common sense. I’m sure all of us would agree that we only want U.S. citizens to vote in U.S. elections,” Johnson added.
Furthermore, ex-Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy provided his own recommendations to the GOP regarding strengthening election integrity.
“A simple message to the GOP: play to win. 1. Make Election Day a National Holiday 2. Single-Day Voting 3. Paper Ballots 4. Government-issued voter ID to match the voter file 5. English as the sole language that appears on a ballot,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, “Trump offered a political lifeline Friday to House Speaker Mike Johnson, saying the beleaguered GOP leader is doing a ‘very good job,’ and tamping down the far-right forces led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene trying to oust him from office,” The Associated Press reported on Friday.
Trump and Johnson were seen side by side at the former president’s Mar-a-Lago club, marking a significant moment for the incoming House leader as he solidifies his alliance with the embattled Republican Party leader ahead of the upcoming November election.
Trump expressed his support for the speaker, affirming his belief that the Louisiana Republican leader is performing exceptionally well. He acknowledged the challenges faced by a small GOP majority in the House and commended the speaker for his commendable efforts.
“We’re getting along very well with the speaker — and I get along very well with Marjorie,” who has filed an initial motion to vacate the Speaker’s chair, Trump said. The former president also said those efforts to oust the Speaker were” unfortunate,” adding there are “much bigger problems” right now.
The pair issued a collective statement on the new law requiring proof of citizenship for voting, emphasizing the importance of the journey for both individuals. Johnson requested Trump’s backing to address serious threats of removal from power. At the same time, Trump benefits from the approval of prominent figures in Washington who are hurrying to Florida to support his campaign for a return to the presidency, despite the controversies surrounding his allegations of election fraud. Greene submitted her petition last month amidst frustration over the government’s funding legislation.