House Speaker Mike Johnson is spearheading a contentious strategy to stave off a government shutdown.
Mike Johnson's proposal involves linking a continuing resolution, which extends federal funding, with the SAVE Act to regulate voter registration, Fox News reported.
The House Speaker from Louisiana introduced his plan during a private phone call with lawmakers, aiming to prolong government funding while pushing for the SAVE Act, which demands citizenship proof from voters. The extension would maintain current funding levels until March, postponing any decisions to a future Congress and potentially a new administration.
Within his party, Johnson faces dissension. Representative Nicole Malliotakis suggested the need for multiple options, emphasizing that both parties need to address the existing legislative chaos. Meanwhile, Representative Thomas Massie critiqued Johnson’s reluctance to introduce spending cuts.
Representative Massie's comments outline a strategic alternative he prefers:
Speaker Johnson has this teed up in front of him. The 1% cut is in law. All we need is a one-year CR to queue it up. And when the April 30 deadline arrives he could even trade the cut for something. But he's afraid even to create a spending cut deadline.
The SAVE Act, supported by former President Donald Trump, is designed to address Republican concerns about voting integrity by requiring citizenship verification during voter registration. Trump has endorsed the plan, urging for its passage to gain leverage in the forthcoming March negotiations.
However, the proposal has met strong opposition, particularly from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who insists on a bipartisan approach to pass a continuing resolution—stressing that previously, cooperation has always been necessary. An unnamed GOP lawmaker remarked on the possible political repercussions: "If we shut down, we lose."
The possibility of a government shutdown looms as the deadline at the end of this month approaches swiftly, with the proposal likely to be put to a vote next week. The future of this plan is uncertain, facing a challenging pass-through due to Johnson’s slim majority in the House.
During a discussion post-announcement, Nicholas LaLota questioned Johnson about the feasibility of the Senate passing a “clean” continuing resolution devoid of additional conditions like the SAVE Act.
The proposal not only serves as a litmus test for Johnson's leadership but also for the party's unity in navigating upcoming budget negotiations. Anxiety within the party hints at a broader ideological split that could influence future legislative decisions.
A spokesperson for Representative Chip Roy echoed a sentiment of cautious optimism about the bipartisan appeal of the SAVE Act in the House despite the opposition, likely hinting at its previous support across party lines.
This bold legislative move by House Speaker Mike Johnson presents a crucial juncture for the U.S. government's operational future. By attempting to merge the government funding extension with the electoral reform agenda of the Republican party, Johnson aims for a strategic win.
However, with resistance from both within his party and from Senate Democrats, the journey to a resolution will be anything but straightforward. Averting a government shutdown while passing partisan legislation poses a significant challenge with deep political ramifications.
