House budget bill/ temporary spending measure/ government funding bill/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ House Speaker Mike Johnson has scheduled a vote on a temporary spending bill to prevent a partial government shutdown starting Oct. 1. The bill includes a requirement for voters to provide proof of citizenship, a key Republican priority. While the bill faces challenges in both the House and Senate, Johnson remains focused on passing it to keep the government funded temporarily.
Speaker Johnson Schedules Vote on Temporary Spending Bill: Key Details Quick Looks:
- House Speaker Mike Johnson is moving forward with a vote on a temporary spending bill to avoid a government shutdown.
- The bill requires proof of citizenship for voters, a priority for Republicans despite it already being illegal for noncitizens to vote.
- The measure faces opposition from Senate Democrats and some Republicans, complicating its path forward.
- Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said a bipartisan approach is necessary, calling the bill “doomed to fail.”
House Speaker Johnson Sets Vote on Temporary Spending Bill to Avoid Shutdown
Deep Look:
House Speaker Mike Johnson is pushing ahead with a temporary spending bill in an effort to prevent a partial government shutdown when the new fiscal year begins on Oct. 1. The vote on the bill is scheduled for Wednesday, despite challenges from both Democrats and some Republicans. Johnson had postponed the bill last week due to resistance but has now chosen to proceed with it, citing its importance in addressing election security concerns.
The spending bill includes a provision requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration, a priority for Republicans, particularly as the 2024 election approaches. Although noncitizen voting is already illegal in the U.S., the provision is seen as a response to Republican claims of voter fraud, a central issue for former President Donald Trump’s campaign. Johnson called on lawmakers to support the measure, saying, “I urge all of my colleagues to do what the overwhelming majority of the people of this country rightfully demand and deserve — prevent non-American citizens from voting in American elections.”
Johnson has not offered an alternative plan for avoiding a shutdown, expressing confidence in the current proposal. “I’m not having any alternative conversations. That’s the play. It’s an important one. And I’m going to work around the clock to try and get it done,” Johnson told reporters on Tuesday.
An Uphill Battle:
While Johnson is determined to advance the bill, it faces significant opposition. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer dismissed the bill’s chances of success, insisting that a bipartisan plan is the only way to avoid a shutdown. “The only thing that will accomplish is make clear that he’s running into a dead end,” Schumer said, stressing the need for cooperation between both parties.
Democrats and some Republicans are pushing for a shorter extension, which would allow lawmakers to reach a full-year agreement after the November election. A temporary stopgap would provide enough time to finalize a more comprehensive budget without the risk of a shutdown. Schumer warned that a six-month extension, which Johnson and more conservative Republicans prefer, would hinder key government functions, especially for the Pentagon. “You simply cannot run the military with six-month stopgaps,” Schumer said, arguing that federal agencies need funding certainty.
Johnson, however, remains focused on advancing the bill. He traveled to Florida on Sunday to meet with Donald Trump, who has publicly supported a government shutdown unless Republicans secure stronger assurances on election security. Trump had earlier taken to Truth Social, urging Republicans to push for proof of citizenship and stronger election safeguards.
The House had previously approved a similar bill in July that included the proof of citizenship requirement. While the issue is popular with some Republican constituents, other members of the party are expected to oppose the bill due to concerns about excessive spending.
As the clock ticks down to the new fiscal year, the fate of the temporary spending bill remains uncertain. Johnson’s push for stricter voting rules and a six-month budget extension is shaping up to be a key battleground as Republicans try to assert influence over budget negotiations while avoiding a government shutdown.
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