WASHINGTON, D.C. — With a looming Sept. 30 deadline but a razor-thin majority, House Republicans are struggling to unite around a short-term funding bill, even though their original proposal was heavy on Republican priorities.
House Speaker Mike Johnson originally proposed a six-month funding bill. The timeframe would push the next budget deadline to March so that the next president—who Republicans hope will be former President Donald Trump—can influence negotiations.
The Republican proposal would also include the SAVE Act, legislation backed by Trump that would require proof of citizenship to vote.
Some House Republicans, such as Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, support going even further. Davidson wrote in a social media post, “It’s time for House Republicans to up the ante in this spending fight. While the SAVE Act stops illegals from voting, why not stop illegals from being here in the first place? The CR should include the SAVE Act AND H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act.”
But Johnson abruptly withdrew the funding bill Wednesday amid several GOP defections. Some oppose passing any short-term funding bills, known as continuing resolutions, at all. Others are wary of looking responsible for a government shutdown just before early voting begins in many states.
“Closing down the government during this process is not a good idea for anyone involved, certainly for our government, certainly for the momentum going into an election,” said Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Ohio. “I think it's important that we stay open and get through this election and then make it decisions in November and December when we have an idea where we're going.”
Democrats have said they will not vote for a funding bill connected to the SAVE Act, and are pushing for a “clean” bill that funds the government into December, so lawmakers can finalize a budget after the election.
“Our nation needs regular order, not more delays, chaos and goofy legislative tricks,” Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, said in a speech on the House floor last week.
Some warned that voters and the country would suffer should the government partially shut down.