Yesterday, Congress voted on a Continuing Appropriations bill aimed at preventing a government shutdown for six months. The bill also included the SAVE Act, which mandates proof of citizenship to register to vote ahead of the General Election.
New Mexico's three U.S. Democratic Representatives—Gabe Vasquez (CD 2), Melanie Stansbury (CD 1), and Teresa Leger Fernandez (CD 3)—voted against the appropriations bill. This marks the second instance in which these representatives have opposed legislation requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration in U.S. elections.
Previously, these representatives have also voted against condemning non-citizens voting in state elections, against legislation to hold illegal immigrants accountable for crimes committed in the country, and against stringent border security measures.
Many states have already identified and removed thousands of non-citizens from their voter rolls, despite Democratic assertions that non-citizens are not registering to vote.
Steve Pearce, Chairman of the Republican Party of New Mexico, issued a statement:
“Despite all the talk about protecting democracy, Representatives Gabe Vasquez, Melanie Stansbury and Teresa Leger Fernandez threw away another opportunity to safeguard the integrity of our elections. New Mexicans want to be certain that only U.S. citizens vote in the upcoming election, but unfortunately, their representatives continue to cater to the far-left, anti-America wing of their party. Requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote is a common-sense measure that should not be controversial especially when New Mexico’s Democratic representatives have enabled 10 million people to enter our country illegally. If New Mexicans are fed up with being put last and want strong borders, secure elections and safe streets, vote Republican up and down the ballot this November.”