Legislation intended to protect the integrity of federal elections has been approved in the U.S. House on a mostly partisan vote.

Congressman Tim Walberg says the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility, or SAVE, Act would prohibit states from accepting and processing an application to register to vote in a federal election unless the applicant presents proof of U.S. citizenship.

Walberg says non-citizens could be affecting elections.

“Evidence shows that non-citizens have registered, voted, and even potentially impacted outcomes,” Walberg said. “American citizens should be the only voters in American elections. It’s just common sense.”

Walberg says the SAVE Act will close loopholes that allow non-citizens to register to vote.

The bill passed on a vote of 221 to 198, with Democrats warning it would prevent legal citizens from voting by creating obstacles. They also note it’s already illegal for non-citizens to vote in federal elections.