Summary
House Republicans have proposed a three-month stopgap spending bill aimed at averting a government shutdown as the current fiscal year approaches its end. This bill, which would extend government funding until December 20, excludes a controversial provision requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration, a measure backed by former President Donald Trump.
The decision to move forward with a clean continuing resolution (CR) comes after a previous attempt to attach the proof-of-citizenship requirement failed to gain sufficient support within the Republican Party. Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged the need for a more bipartisan approach, emphasizing that a government shutdown just weeks before the November elections would be politically detrimental. The new CR includes $231 million for the Secret Service to enhance protection for presidential candidates, reflecting heightened security concerns following recent assassination attempts against Trump. This funding is conditional upon the agency’s cooperation with ongoing investigations into these incidents. With the looming deadline of September 30, the House is expected to vote on the proposal soon, aiming to secure bipartisan support to prevent a shutdown.
Key Elements of the Proposal
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Funding Duration: The CR will fund the government at current levels until December 20, allowing lawmakers time to negotiate a more comprehensive budget after the elections.
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Exclusion of the SAVE Act: The bill does not include the SAVE Act, which would have mandated proof of citizenship for voter registration. This exclusion is seen as a move to garner broader support from both parties.
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Emergency Funding for Secret Service: The legislation allocates additional resources to the Secret Service to bolster security for candidates, particularly in light of recent threats against Trump.
Political Context
The new spending bill reflects the challenges faced by House Republicans as they navigate internal party divisions and the need for bipartisan cooperation. Johnson’s earlier funding proposal, which included the SAVE Act, was rejected by a coalition of Republicans and Democrats. The shift to a more streamlined CR aims to avoid a government shutdown that could harm the party’s standing ahead of crucial elections.
With the pressure mounting as the September 30 deadline approaches, the focus now shifts to how effectively Johnson can rally support for this new measure, balancing the demands of hardline conservatives with the necessity of maintaining government operations.
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