House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is planning to hold a chamber-wide vote to prevent a government shutdown by proposing a six-month extension of the current fiscal year’s government funding levels and attaching a bill known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. The SAVE Act aims to require states to obtain proof of citizenship in person when registering an individual to vote and require states to remove noncitizens from existing voter rolls. While Democrats and some House Republicans oppose the CR with the SAVE Act attached, Johnson is moving forward with the vote, urging his colleagues to prevent non-American citizens from voting in American elections.
However, some Republican representatives, such as Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green of Georgia, are critical of Johnson’s approach. Massie argues that the bill does not responsibly fund the government and accuses Johnson of engaging in profligate spending. Green accuses Johnson of engaging in a bait-and-switch tactic that will ultimately enrage the base before the election. She believes that for the SAVE Act to become law, there would need to be a government shutdown, something she accuses Johnson of being unwilling to initiate. Despite opposition from within his own party, Johnson is continuing with his plan to hold the vote to prevent a government shutdown.
Rep. Matt Rosendale of Montana is among the Republicans who are against the continuing resolution, arguing that Congress cannot keep increasing the national debt, leaving the border open, and funding what he describes as radical policies from the Biden administration. Meanwhile, Rep. Chip Roy of Texas criticizes Republican members who are considering defecting on Johnson’s proposal, noting that the SAVE Act is crucial in ensuring that only citizens can vote and that non-citizens are not on voter rolls. Despite Democratic opposition to the SAVE Act, Johnson may receive support from Democratic defectors, as five House Democrats had previously voted for the bill. Additionally, former President Donald Trump has also expressed support for the SAVE Act.
In response to criticisms from some Republicans, Johnson is moving forward with the plan to prevent a government shutdown by attaching the SAVE Act to the continuing resolution. While the White House has threatened to veto such a measure, and some House Republicans remain opposed, Johnson is adamant about moving forward with the vote. He believes that preventing noncitizen voting in American elections is a priority that must be addressed alongside responsibly funding the federal government. The outcome of the vote remains uncertain, but Johnson is determined to push forward with his proposal to address these pressing issues.
The SAVE Act, supported by a number of Republicans, aims to ensure that only citizens can vote and that noncitizens are removed from voter rolls. Despite opposition from Democrats and some House Republicans, Johnson is proceeding with his plan to attach the SAVE Act to a continuing resolution to prevent a government shutdown. Whether Johnson’s proposal will pass remains to be seen, but the speaker is committed to addressing the issue of noncitizen voting in American elections while also responsibly funding the federal government. The ongoing debate highlights the complexities and disagreements surrounding government funding and election security within the current political landscape.
