House Speaker Mike Johnson faces opposition from within his own party over a proposal to attach a controversial voter identification bill to government funding legislation.
According to Newsweek, Johnson's plan to include the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act in a short-term spending bill has drawn criticism from some Republican lawmakers. The move comes as Congress approaches an October 1 deadline to avoid a government shutdown.
The SAVE Act, which passed the House in June with narrow Republican support, would implement stricter proof of citizenship requirements for voter registration in federal elections. Johnson reportedly discussed attaching this bill to the continuing resolution (CR) during a private call with GOP lawmakers on Wednesday, sparking concerns about potential political fallout if the Democratic-controlled Senate rejects the proposal.
Some Republicans have expressed reservations about Johnson's strategy, fearing that it could lead to a government shutdown and damage the party's electoral prospects. The timing of this move, just before the November elections, has amplified these concerns, particularly for Republicans in vulnerable House seats.
At least two Republican representatives have publicly voiced their opposition to the plan. Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie and Montana Congressman Matt Rosendale, both from safe Republican districts, have criticized the proposal. Their dissent highlights the internal divisions within the GOP over this tactical approach.
Rosendale, who is not seeking reelection, was particularly vocal in his criticism. He denounced the plan as a "disingenuous and dishonest messaging bill" that would neither improve the SAVE Act's chances of passage nor address the budget deficit.
The inclusion of the SAVE Act in the CR raises significant questions about the feasibility of passing government funding legislation before the October deadline. With Democrats controlling the Senate and the White House, the likelihood of such a bill succeeding appears slim.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has already indicated his opposition to the plan. When asked about the possibility of passing the SAVE Act as part of the CR, Schumer emphasized the need for bipartisan cooperation, suggesting that attaching controversial legislation to funding bills is not a viable path forward.
President Joe Biden has also stated his intention to veto the legislation if it reaches his desk, further complicating the prospects for Johnson's proposal.
The SAVE Act itself has been a source of controversy since its introduction. Supporters, like Congressman Chip Roy, argue that the bill is necessary to prevent non-citizens from illegally registering to vote in federal elections. The legislation would require stringent forms of identification for voter registration, such as passports or government-issued photo IDs with proof of U.S. birth.
Critics of the measure contend that it is an attempt to suppress voter turnout by making registration more difficult. They argue that existing laws already prohibit non-citizens from voting in federal elections and that instances of such illegal voting are extremely rare.
A 2017 study by the Brennan Center for Justice found that among 23.5 million votes tabulated in the 2016 general election across 42 jurisdictions, there were only 30 incidents of suspected noncitizen voting, representing about 0.0001 percent of the votes cast.
Mike Johnson's proposal to attach the SAVE Act to government funding legislation has created a rift within the Republican Party. The plan faces opposition from some GOP members who fear political backlash and a potential government shutdown. With resistance from Democrats in the Senate and a veto threat from President Biden, the proposal's future remains uncertain. As the October 1 deadline approaches, the debate over voter identification requirements and government funding continues to intensify.
