The US House is scheduled to vote on a government funding bill this Wednesday, which seems likely to be unsuccessful, as there are fewer than two weeks remaining to avert a partial shutdown beginning on October 1.
On Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed that the chamber would proceed with the vote, notwithstanding significant dissent from certain members within his own conference. The announcement occurred one week subsequent to the opposition compelling Johnson to postpone a scheduled vote on his bill, and the speaker has encountered increasing resistance in the days that followed.
Johnson’s proposed legislation integrates a six-month stopgap funding mechanism, referred to as a continuing resolution, alongside the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (Save) Act, which is a contentious initiative mandating individuals to provide proof of citizenship during the voter registration process.
“Congress must prioritise two critical actions: the responsible funding of the federal government and the safeguarding of our electoral processes,” Johnson stated on Tuesday. “I strongly encourage my colleagues to align with the clear majority opinion of the constituents in this county, which is to ensure that only American citizens participate in the electoral process.”
Opponents of the Save Act argue that non-citizen voting is already prohibited, expressing concerns that this legislation could impede the ability of legitimate voters to participate in the electoral process. House Democrats exhibit a significant majority against the proposal, with only a limited number anticipated to endorse Johnson’s bill on Wednesday.
Considering the Republicans’ slim majority in the House and the Democrats’ significant resistance to the bill, Johnson can only tolerate a limited number of defections within his conference on Wednesday. A significant portion of hard-right Republicans has signalled their intention to oppose the bill, as a considerable number have dismissed any form of continuing resolution while insisting on further budget reductions.
Extreme-right Republicans express concern that following a failed vote on Wednesday, Johnson may pivot towards advancing a simpler continuing resolution devoid of the Save Act, despite the speaker’s dismissal of these apprehensions.
“I am not engaging in any alternative discussions,” Johnson stated to reporters on Tuesday. “That is the strategy.” This holds significant value. I will dedicate extensive hours to ensure its completion.
Marjorie Taylor Greene, a far-right Republican congresswoman from Georgia, criticised Johnson’s approach as a “classic bait and switch that will provoke the base.”
“Johnson is orchestrating a contrived conflict that he has no genuine intention of engaging in,” Greene stated Tuesday on X. “I will not misrepresent the viability of this plan; it is already unfeasible as of this week.” Speaker Johnson must engage with the Democrats, with whom he has maintained a collaborative relationship, to secure the necessary votes for his intended actions.
Donald Trump, having promoted unfounded assertions regarding extensive non-citizen voting, has intensified the pressure on Johnson by asserting that the House must condition the approval of a government funding bill on the inclusion of “election security” measures.
“If Republicans in the House and Senate do not receive unequivocal guarantees regarding Election Security, they must, under no circumstances, proceed with a continuing resolution on the budget,” Trump stated on his social media platform, Truth Social, last week.
Even if Johnson manages to advance his bill through the House, it is evident that the Democratic Senate majority leader, Chuck Schumer, has indicated that the proposal stands no chance of being approved in the Senate. During a floor speech on Tuesday, Schumer emphasised that a “bipartisan plan” is the only viable option to reach Joe Biden’s desk in order to avert a shutdown next month.
“The Speaker’s continuing resolution lacks feasibility,” Schumer stated. “I recommend that he reconsider his existing strategy and collaborate with the other leaders—Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, and myself, along with the White House—to achieve a bipartisan agreement.” Time is a critical resource that we cannot afford to waste.
During a press conference on Tuesday, McConnell delivered a strong caution to House Republicans, indicating that a shutdown occurring near election day could threaten the party’s voter support and potentially result in a loss of congressional seats.
“A government shutdown is not an option,” McConnell stated. “It would be, from a strategic standpoint, highly unwise for us to proceed in that manner.”