A Black Republican woman forcefully rejected a white Democratic man’s claim Wednesday that voter identification laws are designed to stop minorities from voting during a panel discussion on Fox News’ “The Will Cain Show.”

The exchange began after the Democratic panelist described the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act as a form of “voter suppression.”

“An act like the SAVE Act is very likely more aimed at voter suppression and at keeping key demographics that the Republican Party does not want voting to not show out and vote,” the Democrat said.

Host Will Cain asked which demographics he meant.

“I think very often minority demographics,” the man replied.

“That’s not true,” the Black woman shot back.

Cain then asked whether she personally had identification and proof of citizenship.

“Yeah. And if I need a copy of my birth certificate, it’s just a matter of going online or going up to the department and asking for it and showing my information to get it,” she said. “To say that it would negatively affect a minority group because they’re somehow not educated enough to get these documents is completely outrageous.”

The SAVE Act would require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has repeatedly labeled the bill “Jim Crow 2.0.” However, that rhetoric has drawn criticism from voices across the political spectrum.

SiriusXM host Stephen A. Smith and comedian Bill Maher warned Schumer during a Feb. 4 episode of “Straight Shooter with Stephen A.” that such language could backfire and benefit Donald Trump.

“Don’t engage in that kind of hyperbole,” Smith said. “We’re living in the year 2026. When you start bringing up ‘Jim Crow 2.0,’ you’re trying to hearken back to a time that most people recognize — no, we’re not living in those times right now. Of course we’ve got our troubles … Don’t do that because that’s playing right into Trump’s hands.”

Maher agreed, calling it “foolish” to label the bill racist and warning that Schumer should not “engage in the kind of hyperbole that’s just going to bite you in the ass.”

Meanwhile, CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten said on “CNN News Central” Feb. 3 that support for photo ID requirements is strong across racial groups.

“I think a lot of people make the argument that people of color, non-white Americans have a harder time procuring a photo ID to vote,” Enten said. “But even here, take a look here: favor photo ID to vote — 85% of white people favor it, 82% of Latino Americans favor it, and 76% of Black Americans favor it.”

The SAVE Act passed the House in April 2025 but has since stalled in the Senate.