Voter ID mandate/ voter registration requirement/ proof of citizenship for voting/ election security bill/ Newslooks/ Washington DC/ House Speaker Mike Johnson is pushing ahead with a stopgap funding bill to prevent a government shutdown, including a controversial proof of citizenship mandate for voter registration. The bill, likely to be voted down, faces opposition from both Democrats and some Republicans. Despite its slim chances of passing, Johnson is determined to make Democrats take another vote on election security.
Speaker Johnson’s Funding Bill: Quick Looks
- Bill Proposal: A stopgap spending bill includes a six-month extension of federal funding through March 2025.
- Controversial Mandate: The bill demands proof of citizenship for voter registration.
- Democratic Opposition: Democrats argue the mandate is unnecessary and want a shorter-term extension.
- Republican Division: Some Republicans oppose any stopgap bill or consider current funding levels too high.
- Election Security Focus: Johnson wants to pressure swing district Democrats to vote on election security before the election.
Speaker Johnson advances shutdown bill with citizenship proof
Deep Look
House Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday reaffirmed his commitment to pushing forward a stopgap spending bill that includes a controversial provision requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration. Despite limited prospects of the bill passing, Johnson emphasized the importance of election security, citing concerns about non-citizens participating in U.S. elections.
Johnson’s bill is meant to prevent a partial government shutdown when the new fiscal year begins on October 1. The proposal includes a six-month extension of federal funding, keeping agencies and programs operational through March 28, 2025. However, the proof of citizenship mandate has become a sticking point, as both Democrats and some Republicans oppose the bill for different reasons.
Election Security Focus
Johnson insists that election security is a critical issue, arguing that even a small number of illegal votes could sway key elections. “If you have a few thousand illegals participate in the election in the wrong place, you can change the makeup of Congress and affect the presidential election,” Johnson said.
While research shows that voting by non-citizens is rare, Republicans are using the issue to pressure Democrats in competitive swing districts to take a stand on election integrity. In July, the House approved a similar bill with a proof of citizenship mandate, and five Democrats voted with Republicans in support of the requirement. Johnson hopes another vote will hold Democratic lawmakers accountable ahead of the election.
Democratic Pushback
Democrats are firmly opposed to the mandate, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer warning that the bill is “running into trouble.” Schumer and other Democrats argue that states already have adequate safeguards to verify voters’ eligibility. They also prefer a shorter-term funding extension, so the current Congress, not the next president, sets spending levels for the 2025 fiscal year.
“Is it any surprise that the speaker’s purely partisan CR seems to be running into trouble?” Schumer asked, referring to the continuing resolution. Schumer has urged Johnson to work with Democratic leaders and the White House to develop a bipartisan funding package that can pass both chambers.
Republican Opposition
Some Republicans have also come out against the bill, further dimming its chances of passing the House. Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) criticized the bill’s spending levels, arguing that Congress needs to rein in spending amid nearly $2 trillion annual deficits. “We need to stop spending at a level that is untenable for the American people,” Mills said.
Others, like Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), oppose any stopgap measure, preferring Congress to return to passing individual appropriations bills. Burchett criticized the bill as a continuation of a “Nancy Pelosi-Schumer budget,” signaling dissatisfaction with its funding provisions.
Despite the opposition, House Republicans met behind closed doors to discuss the bill’s prospects. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) called it “the best fight we’ve ever had,” encouraging colleagues to push forward.
No Plan B
While the bill’s future looks uncertain, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) said that Speaker Johnson has made it clear that this is an important issue for him. “This is the hill to die on,” Norman said, emphasizing Johnson’s determination to hold a vote regardless of the outcome. No alternative funding plan was discussed during the meeting.
If the stopgap bill fails, the likelihood of a government shutdown increases, as lawmakers will have less than three weeks to pass a funding measure.
