The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show (iHeartPodcasts)

Episode: The Truth with Lisa Boothe: SAVE Act Showdown – Voter ID Battle, 2030 Census Fight & DHS Funding Standoff

Date: February 12, 2026
Guest: Congressman Abe Hamadeh (Arizona)
Host: Lisa Boothe

Overview

This episode focuses on the political and legislative battles surrounding the SAVE Act, a proposed bill designed to require proof of citizenship and government-issued voter ID for participation in federal elections. Lisa Boothe and guest Congressman Abe Hamadeh discuss the reasons for Democratic opposition, implications for upcoming elections, the long-term fight over the 2030 census, and the ongoing DHS funding standoff.

Key Discussion Points

1. The SAVE Act: Purpose and Status

[02:49]

• Overview: The SAVE Act, originally passed by the House, seeks to require both proof of citizenship and government-issued voter ID for federal election participation and to maintain eligibility on voter rolls.
• Update: The bill awaits action in the Senate, with President Trump advocating for it to be renamed the "Save America Act" and expanded to include stronger voter ID requirements.

"What this bill does is you have to show proof of citizenship and voter ID in order to register to vote and to keep you on the voter roll. So it's very common sense legislation that the support of over 83% of Americans."
— Congressman Abe Hamadeh [02:56]

2. Widespread Public Support and Partisan Controversy

[03:48]

• Polling: 83% of Americans, including majorities of both Democrats (71%) and Republicans (95%), support voter ID requirements.
• Controversy Origin: The guests argue the controversy is manufactured by Democratic leaders seeking to "protect their power," despite broad bipartisan public approval.

"It's only controversial because the Democrats are making it controversial. Democrats in power...are benefiting from a broken system because we know that there are illegals on the voter rolls."
— Congressman Abe Hamadeh [04:03]

3. Allegations of Fraud and Party Motivations

[04:03, 05:19]

• Minnesota Example: Claims of "Somali immigrants...stealing from the taxpayers billions of dollars" are linked rhetorically to potential election fraud.
• Senator Tom Cotton's Stance: Referenced as labeling Democratic opposition as an effort to facilitate voter fraud.

"If they're willing to steal money from you, the taxpayers, don't you think that they're willing to also steal our elections in order to protect the fraud that's been occurring?"
— Congressman Abe Hamadeh [04:29]

"Senator Tom Cotton tweeted out pretty plainly...Chuck Schumer opposes voter ID because he wants to make it easy to commit voter fraud."
— Lisa Boothe [05:19]

4. Democratic Party Dynamics and Internal Tensions

[05:40]

• The show draws parallels between Democratic disputes ​and the Tea Party era for Republicans, framing current left-leaning party members as an energized, radical base influencing party stances (e.g., opposition to voter ID requirements).

"Democrats are involved in their own type of civil war right now about control of the party."
— Congressman Abe Hamadeh [05:44]

5. Electoral Strategy: 2024–2026 Midterms and the Trump Factor

[06:14, 06:40]

• Elections Outlook: Concern about Democratic momentum in the upcoming midterms reminiscent of the 2010 "Tea Party Wave.”
• Trump's Role: Credited with motivating the Republican base and prioritizing election integrity. Discussion about the Senate filibuster as a major legislative obstacle.

"President Trump, who remains more popular than people could have ever even predicted...cares about election integrity. He knows that we have to get the base motivated out to vote."
— Congressman Abe Hamadeh [06:44]

6. 2030 Census Fight and Redistricting

[07:30]

• Counting Illegals: Intense debate over whether illegal immigrants should be counted in the 2030 census, with implications for congressional seat allocation and Electoral College votes.
• Redistricting: Mention of Rep. Yvette Clarke’s controversial comments about using migrant populations for redistricting.

"We have to ensure that illegals are not counted towards the census in 2030. So I know that's a big battle that we're going to be focusing on."
— Congressman Abe Hamadeh [10:27]

"If you look at California, New York, so many of these states are poised to be losing these seats...There's a possibility of 7 to 10 shifts of congressional seats in Electoral College, if not more, depending on what the census shows, if we get rid of illegal immigrants on the census."
— Congressman Abe Hamadeh [09:07]

7. DHS Funding and Government Shutdown Dynamics

[13:52]

• Standoff: Discussion of ongoing negotiations (or lack thereof) over funding for DHS and ICE, with Democrats accused of deliberately inviting shutdowns to force their policy goals.
• Consequences: Partial shutdowns affecting TSA, Coast Guard, and government services; framing Democrats as holding the government "hostage" and being pressured by their far-left base not to end shutdowns.

"The Democrats, just like they did a few months ago, are holding our government hostage. It's almost a suicidal mission that the Democrats seem to be on."
— Congressman Abe Hamadeh [15:13]

8. Republican Messaging, Economy, and Base Motivation

[10:41, 11:35]

• Polling & Perception: Republicans are trailing Democrats on economic and affordability metrics, which the guest attributes to both messaging failures and media bias.
• Legislative Wins: Mention of tax relief provisions and competing narratives on which party truly advances affordability for Americans.

"Affordability, I always laugh when they talk about affordability being a Democrat issue. I mean, it's completely wrong...Most unaffordable cities are led by Democrats."
— Congressman Abe Hamadeh [11:39]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On SAVE Act’s Simplicity:
  "It's such an easy one. For us to do. And unfortunately, the Senate has been the biggest obstacle..."
  — Congressman Abe Hamadeh [06:54]

• On Census Stakes:
  "There's a reason why they're opposing the deportation efforts...they're trying to protect the fraud that's going on in Minnesota. But, you know, regarding the census...it's critical to keep the focus on the deportation efforts."
  — Congressman Abe Hamadeh [08:27]

• Democrats and Shutdown Rhetoric:
  "When the Democrats finally decide to end the government shut down a few months ago, the far left base of the Democrat party was mad at their leaders for reopening the government."
  — Congressman Abe Hamadeh [15:17]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro and Guest Welcome: 01:44–02:49
• SAVE Act Big Picture: 02:49–03:48
• Public Support & Controversy: 03:48–04:56
• Fraud Allegations & Party Tactics: 04:56–06:14
• Democratic Internal Tensions: 06:14–06:40
• 2026 Midterm & Trump’s Role: 06:40–07:30
• Census, Redistricting & Congressional Seats Fight: 07:30–10:41
• Economic Messaging, Polls & Republican Strategy: 10:41–13:52
• DHS Funding & Shutdown Dynamics: 13:52–15:34

Tone and Language

The conversation maintains a partisan, combative tone with urgency over election integrity and repeated assertions regarding Democratic obstructionism. Lisa Boothe and Congressman Hamadeh speak in assertive, populist terms, emphasizing themes of common sense, American will, and governmental accountability, while painting the opposition as radical and out of touch.

Summary

This episode serves as a primer on the Republican perspective regarding election security, the rationale for voter ID laws, and the intertwined controversies over immigration, census counting, and government appropriations. Through both statistics and rhetoric, the show attempts to highlight what it presents as clear-cut issues clouded by partisan resistance, setting the stage for further debates in Congress and the looming 2026 midterm elections.