House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has announced plans to move forward with a chamber-wide vote to prevent a government shutdown by introducing a bill aimed at addressing noncitizen voting concerns. Johnson emphasized the importance of responsibly funding the federal government and ensuring election security in a statement.
The proposed legislation includes a six-month extension of the current fiscal year's government funding levels, known as a continuing resolution (CR), along with the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. The SAVE Act seeks to mandate that states require proof of citizenship in person when registering individuals to vote and to remove noncitizens from existing voter rolls.
While Johnson's initiative has garnered support from some Republicans, most Democrats oppose the CR with the SAVE Act attached. The Biden-Harris White House has even threatened to veto such a measure. Additionally, some House Republicans, like Rep. Thomas Massie, have criticized the bill, arguing that it does not address the issue of excessive government spending.
Despite the opposition, Johnson is pushing forward with the vote, scheduled for Wednesday. However, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green, R-Ga., has condemned the move, labeling it as a 'bait and switch' tactic that could potentially backfire.
On the other hand, Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, who sponsored the SAVE Act, has criticized Republicans who are considering defecting on Johnson's continuing resolution. He highlighted the importance of addressing noncitizen voting issues and achieving success with the legislation.
Former President Donald Trump has expressed support for the SAVE Act, emphasizing the need for election security. Trump's recent statement on TRUTH Social urged Republicans to prioritize election security in budget negotiations.
As the debate continues, the outcome of the vote remains uncertain. If a CR is passed through March, the issue of government funding will be revisited under a new administration and Congress.
