CNN’s Kaitlan Collins Spars With GOP Lawmaker Over Non-Citizen Voter Legislation Amid Shutdown Threat: ‘It’s Already Unlawful!’
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) defended his party’s push for legislation targeting a crime already deemed illegal in a clash with CNN host Kaitlan Collins, as the threat of a federal government shutdown looms.
At the center of the debate is the SAVE Act, which Lawler co-sponsored. The legislation seeks to require proof of citizenship for voting. On Wednesday the House rejected a $1.6 trillion stopgap spending bill, which aimed to extend government funding until March with the addition of the proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration. The proposal, from Speaker Mike Johnson, failed 220-202, with bipartisan opposition from Republicans and Democrats.
Lawler, however, appearing on The Source with Kaitlan Collins, repeatedly dodged attempts to shift the conversation, resulting in a fiery back-and-forth as Collins insisted the move was redundant since “it’s already unlawful for non-citizens to vote in federal elections.”
Despite this, Lawler argued for reaffirming the law, insisting that “non-citizens should not be voting in elections.”
As the discussion progressed, Lawler’s spotty internet connection added to the chaos.
Collins pressed him on why Republicans would risk a government shutdown over the issue, given that a “clean” funding bill would likely be passed regardless. Lawler, attempting to refocus on illegal immigration and affordability issues, acknowledged a shutdown would be a distraction and argued: “We’re not shutting down the government with 48 days to go before an election.”
Collins said that she found the timing “remarkable,” noting that Republicans might create “a record of their crime” over something that “just never happens.”
Lawler fired back, citing New York’s attempt to allow non-citizens to vote as justification: “We sued in New York and won because it is unconstitutional and it’s wrong.”
The segment ended abruptly, with Lawler refusing to shift topics, leaving Collins visibly frustrated as the clock ran out.
Watch above on CNN.
