Jeffries condemns GOP spending bill/ Democrats reject Republican spending plan/ government funding tied to voter ID law/ Newslooks/ Washington DC/ House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries rejected Speaker Mike Johnson’s spending bill proposal, calling it “unserious and unacceptable.” The bill ties six months of government funding to a mandate for proof of citizenship for voter registration, which Democrats oppose. With a potential government shutdown looming on October 1, Jeffries urged Congress to pass a short-term funding bill free of partisan conditions.
Hakeem Jeffries on GOP Spending Bill: Quick Looks
- Hakeem Jeffries rejected the GOP spending proposal, calling it “unserious and unacceptable.”
- The Republican proposal links six months of government funding to voter ID requirements.
- Democrats argue the bill would disenfranchise millions who lack proper documentation.
- Jeffries insists on a short-term spending measure without partisan policy changes.
- Lawmakers face a potential government shutdown if a resolution isn’t reached by October 1.
- Senate Democrats and the Biden administration oppose the Republican measure.
- Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warns that continuing resolutions harm military readiness.
Hakeem Jeffries Slams GOP’s Spending Bill as “Unacceptable”
Deep Look:
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries strongly rejected a Republican-led proposal that ties continued government funding to a voter ID requirement. Calling the proposal “unserious and unacceptable,” Jeffries framed the debate as crucial for protecting American taxpayers from harmful partisan policies. The bill, spearheaded by Speaker Mike Johnson, links six months of funding with a measure that requires proof of citizenship for voter registration, a divisive provision that has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats.
The proposal comes as Congress faces a looming deadline to avoid a partial government shutdown. The current fiscal year ends on October 1, and lawmakers must approve a short-term spending bill to prevent government agencies from running out of money. However, the bill’s citizenship requirement complicates negotiations. Democrats, including Jeffries, argue that the spending process should be resolved before the end of the year and without additional partisan conditions.
“There is no other viable path forward that protects the health, safety, and economic well-being of hardworking American taxpayers,” Jeffries wrote in a letter to House Democrats on Monday, stressing that the appropriations process should be completed this year rather than deferred into 2025.
Speaker Mike Johnson’s proposal aims to delay major spending decisions until the next calendar year when a new Congress and president will be in place. Republicans believe they will be in a stronger position to secure their policy priorities at that time. Johnson also views the proof of citizenship requirement as critical to ensuring election integrity, a stance popular among conservatives.
Johnson described the spending measure as essential not only to prevent a government shutdown but also to protect the integrity of U.S. elections. “Congress has a responsibility to do both, and we must ensure that only American citizens can decide American elections,” Johnson said when unveiling the proposal on Friday.
However, Jeffries and other Democratic leaders have pushed back, pointing out that it is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections. They argue that the proof of citizenship mandate could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters who may lack the necessary documentation. Additionally, Democrats accuse Republicans of exploiting concerns about noncitizen voting, which remains extremely rare, to promote voter suppression.
The debate is further complicated by rising tensions over immigration policy, particularly the influx of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border under President Joe Biden’s administration. Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, have claimed that Democrats are allowing migrants to enter the country with the goal of adding them to voter rolls, though no substantial evidence supports this claim.
Opposition to Johnson’s spending proposal extends beyond House Democrats. Senate Democrats and the Biden administration have also voiced their disapproval. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned that relying on long-term continuing resolutions, such as the current Republican proposal, harms military readiness. In a letter to congressional leaders, Austin stated that the bill would delay critical military priorities and reduce the Department of Defense’s ability to address emergent threats.
“These actions subject Service members and their families to unnecessary stress, empower our adversaries, misalign billions of dollars, damage our readiness, and impede our ability to react to emergent events,” Austin wrote.
With lawmakers returning to Washington following their August recess, the stage is set for an intense battle over government funding. Jeffries and other Democratic leaders are pressing for a short-term funding bill that avoids a government shutdown while leaving contentious issues, such as voter ID laws, out of the equation. As the October 1 deadline approaches, the likelihood of a resolution remains uncertain, with both sides preparing for weeks of heated debate.
