In a move that has been met with mixed reactions, House Speaker Mike Johnson has decided to heed the call of the more conservative faction of his Republican conference.
This week, he has scheduled a vote on a bill that would not only fund the federal government for an additional six months but would also necessitate states to acquire proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, when registering a person to vote.
According to The New York Post, this move comes as Congress is under pressure to approve a stop-gap spending bill before the end of the budget year on Sept. 30. Failure to do so could result in a government shutdown just weeks before the presidential election. However, Johnson's decision to intertwine the proof of citizenship mandate with government funding has complicated the process. The bill is unlikely to gain traction in the Democratic-controlled Senate, assuming it even reaches that stage.
Despite the potential roadblocks, this move could prove beneficial for Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, in the long run. Should House Republicans maintain their majority next year and he seeks to reclaim his position as speaker, this vote could be a feather in his cap. It could also provide Republicans with ammunition against Democrats in competitive swing districts, as immigration-related issues become a cornerstone of their campaign.
"Today, House Republicans are taking a critically important step to keep the federal government funded and to secure our federal election process," Johnson declared on Friday. "Congress has a responsibility to do both, and we must ensure that only American citizens can decide American elections."
However, Democrats are expected to oppose the GOP effort overwhelmingly. They argue that any continuing resolution must have bipartisan support. They accuse Johnson of repeating the same error that then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, made a year ago in his attempt to appease conservatives. This strategy ultimately backfired, forcing him to rely on Democrats to pass a temporary spending bill.
Democratic Senators Chuck Schumer of New York and Patty Murray of Washington state issued a statement, criticizing Johnson for "wasting precious time catering to the hard MAGA right." They warned that if Johnson "drives House Republicans down this highly partisan path, the odds of a shutdown go way up, and Americans will know that the responsibility of a shutdown will be on the House Republicans hands."
The voter registration measure has found favor among House Republicans. The House Freedom Caucus, which typically includes the chambers most conservative members, has called for it to be attached to a stop-gap bill that would keep the government funded into early 2025.
Republicans argue that requiring proof of citizenship would bolster confidence in the nations federal election system, a cause championed by former President Donald Trump. However, critics contend that it is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections. They argue that the document requirements could disenfranchise millions of people who may not have the necessary documents readily available when they have the opportunity to register.
The question of how long to extend funding is another significant issue to address as part of the short-term spending bill. The House Freedom Caucus is banking on Trump winning the White House and putting the GOP in a better position to secure the spending cuts and policy priorities they desire. Therefore, they want to extend funding until after the inauguration in January.
As Congress reconvenes in Washington on Monday after spending the past five weeks back in their home states and districts, the short-term bill becomes a necessity. The House and Senate are far from completing their work on the dozen annual spending bills that keep government agencies and programs operational during the coming budget year.
The House has passed five of the 12 annual spending bills, while the Senate has passed none. However, the Senate has chosen to take a more bipartisan approach to the challenge by moving 11 of the bills through the Senate Appropriations Committee with broad support from lawmakers in both parties.
In contrast, House Republicans are leveraging their majority to push bills through, despite significant opposition from Democrats. As the political landscape continues to shift, it remains to be seen how these decisions will impact the upcoming election and the future of the Republican party.
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