'The right to vote in the United States is a right reserved for citizens alone,' says Democrat Rep Jared Golden
Vulnerable House Dem ignores questions on endorsing VP Harris for president
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez remained silent when asked if she supports Harris for president and if Harris did a good job as ‘border czar’
A pair of moderate House Democrats are co-leading a bipartisan push to crack down on noncitizens voting in U.S. elections.
Reps. Jared Golden, D-Maine, and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., joined legislation being spearheaded by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., and Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., less than six months ahead of the November presidential election.
The pair of Democrat lawmakers’ support is significant – a bill to repeal Washington, D.C.’s policy allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections was vehemently opposed by the progressive left but wound up passing with support from 52 Democrats.
FLASHBACK: TRUCKER WHO FAMOUSLY OUSTED LONGTIME NEW JERSEY DEMOCRAT LOSES BID FOR SECOND TERM
Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Jared Golden have signed onto a new bill that would crack down on noncitizens voting in U.S. elections. (Getty Images)
More recently, House GOP leaders ushered through legislation that would require proof of citizenship in the voter registration process earlier this month. That bill, backed by former President Trump, passed with support from five Democrats but has not been taken up by the Senate.
The bill’s introduction also comes as Republicans blame the Biden administration’s border and immigration policies for fueling the ongoing migrant crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border, with some suggesting it could lead to illegal immigrants voting in American elections.
"Across the world, the awesome and exclusive rights of citizens are intrinsically linked to equally awesome and exclusive responsibilities. You cannot have one without the other. So, this bill also affirms that no matter where you live in our country, the right to vote in the United States is a right reserved for citizens alone," Golden said in a statement.
KAMALA HARRIS VETTING LIST OF POSSIBLE RUNNING MATES WITH 4 STANDOUTS: REPORT
The bill is being spearheaded by GOP Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Perez said in her own statement, "We need to uphold the constitutional ideal that decisions made for our country are made by citizens of our country – and this bipartisan legislation will protect the integrity of Americans’ choices at the ballot box."
The bill prohibits states from allowing noncitizens to vote in federal elections, something that is already illegal.
It goes a step further, however, threatening the federal funding of states that allow noncitizens to vote in state and local elections as well.
KEY ENDORSEMENTS POUR IN FOR KAMALA HARRIS AS VP SELECTION NEARS
House Speaker Mike Johnson rolled out a separate election integrity package at a press conference with former President Trump, right, which passed the House earlier this month. (Getty Images)
The legislation also expands voting access for Americans themselves by requiring states to allow voters who are not affiliated with a political party to participate in primary elections. Currently, some states only hold "closed primaries," where people registered with a certain party can participate in that party’s primary election.
Fitzpatrick said of his bill, "This commonsense reform is not political or controversial. It ensures every U.S. citizen, regardless of political affiliation, has the unequivocal right to vote while reinforcing election integrity by strictly prohibiting non-citizens from participating in taxpayer-funded elections."
Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.
Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to
