Speaker Mike Johnson announced that the House will vote on a six-month stopgap funding bill linked to legislation requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote. The package was pulled last week due to growing GOP opposition, but Johnson is trying to flip members to support it. However, it is unlikely to pass the House due to Republican opposition to short-term bills. This comes as the federal government faces a shutdown on October 1 if a funding bill is not agreed upon. The package, which includes the Donald Trump-backed SAVE Act, faces opposition in the Democratic-led Senate and a threat of veto from President Joe Biden.
Johnson urged his colleagues to prevent non-American citizens from voting in American elections. Despite facing difficulties in passing the package, he is determined to move forward with the vote. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the plan, calling for a bipartisan agreement to prevent a government shutdown. Former President Trump has urged Republicans to support the SAVE Act, but Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell warned against a shutdown, stating it would be politically harmful.
The White House and some Republicans are pushing for a shorter-term bill to keep the government open until after the election, allowing more time for negotiation on fiscal year 2025 funding. Johnson’s plan to attach the SAVE Act to the CR is seen as unworkable by Democrats. The situation is tense as the deadline for a funding bill approaches, and bipartisan cooperation is needed to prevent a government shutdown.
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