Jason Smith says SAVE America Act will be 'first and foremost item' in potential reconciliation bill

House Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith discussed Tuesday a possible reconciliation package in Congress that would include multiple priorities for the Trump administration, including the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act.

The House has passed the SAVE America Act and a funding bill that would end the partial government shutdown, but both bills have been held up in the Senate because of a slim Republican majority. 

Smith said that any reconciliation package would need to include the SAVE America Act because it's such an important legislation for President Donald Trump, who has touted it as his number one priority. 

"For an upcoming reconciliation package, it has to be those items that unify Republicans," Smith said on the "Just The News, No Noise" TV show. "The item that's out there that unifies Republicans, without a doubt, is the SAVE America Act, and that is, in fact, what I believe has to be in any reconciliation bill."

The SAVE America Act requires people to present proof of citizenship to register to vote and requires Americans to show ID when voting.

Smith also touted the success of a previous reconciliation package, dubbed the "One Big Beautiful Bill," which has created the largest tax refund season in American history, according to the White House.

"We delivered on the President's promises of no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on Social Security, created the Trump investment accounts, increase the Child Tax Credit, increase the standard deduction, a lot of big wins for the American people," Smith said. "That has led to the largest tax refund season in the history of America that we're experiencing right now, nearly $400 billion in tax refunds are going to individuals.

The lawmaker said he recently went back to his home district in Missouri and met a woman who has several children, works overtime as a waitress and received a $10,000 refund on her taxes. 

"In Southeast Missouri, that will pay her rent for the entire year and also help pay for her groceries," he said. "That makes a huge difference in the lives of everyday, hard-working families."

The comment comes as the 2026 tax season is underway. Americans have until April 15 to file their taxes.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.