Speaker Mike Johnson announced that the House will vote on a six-month stopgap funding bill on Wednesday, tied to legislation requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote. Despite facing GOP opposition and a narrow majority, Johnson is pushing for the package to prevent a government shutdown on October 1. The bill includes the Donald Trump-backed SAVE Act but is expected to be rejected by the Democratic-led Senate and threatened with a veto by President Joe Biden.
Johnson emphasized the importance of responsibly funding the government and securing elections, urging colleagues to prevent non-American citizens from voting. However, Democrats and some Republicans are advocating for a shorter-term bill to keep the government open until after the election, giving negotiators more time to reach a fiscal year 2025 funding deal.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Johnson and the GOP for pushing a funding measure with poison pills that is unlikely to pass the Senate. Schumer warned against giving leverage to pass Project 2025 in the future by agreeing to a six-month CR, highlighting the challenges of passing legislation in a narrowly divided government. The political tensions and disagreements surrounding the funding bill highlight the ongoing struggle for bipartisan cooperation in Congress.
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