Speaker Mike Johnson has scheduled a Wednesday vote on a six-month GOP government funding plan that is anticipated to fail. The Louisiana Republican is facing pressure to demonstrate that the bill cannot pass before moving on to the next step.
Last week, Johnson had to withdraw the bill, which includes a controversial measure targeting non-citizen voting, from the floor due to significant opposition within his own party. Conservatives and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump have been urging action on election security, with Trump casting doubts on election integrity leading up to the 2024 elections.
The plan to bring the bill to the floor this week is intended to showcase its failure, allowing Johnson to pivot to a plan B, although the specifics of the alternative plan remain unclear. Government funding is set to expire at the end of the month.
If the funding bill fails on the floor, it will highlight the deep divisions within the House GOP conference. Johnson is once again confronted with the challenge of managing a narrow majority and addressing demands from Trump, who insists on absolute assurances regarding election security before passing a funding extension.
Johnson emphasized the immediate need for Congress to fund the government responsibly and ensure election security. He urged his colleagues to prevent non-American citizens from voting in American elections.
Despite GOP opposition and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's dismissal of the plan, Johnson remains aligned with Trump on government funding and election security.
The six-month funding proposal from House Republicans includes the SAVE Act, which mandates documentary proof of US citizenship to register for federal elections. The bill has faced criticism from within the GOP ranks, with Rep. Thomas Massie rejecting the vote announcement as a 'fake fight' and refusing to participate.
As Congress grapples with the funding extension and election security, the path forward remains uncertain, with the need for bipartisan cooperation underscored by Senate Democrats. The outcome of the Wednesday vote and subsequent actions by Speaker Johnson will shape the future of government funding and election integrity efforts.
