Mitch McConnell urges House Republicans to avoid government shutdown ahead of election

Summary

McConnell’s concerns stem from the potential fallout of a government shutdown, which he believes would place the blame squarely on Republicans, reminiscent of previous shutdowns that resulted in negative public opinion. House Speaker Mike Johnson’s attempt to pass a funding bill that includes the controversial SAVE Act—requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration—has met with resistance from within the party, particularly from its far-right members. Complicating matters further, former President Donald Trump has insisted on passing the bill without modifications, raising the stakes for House Republicans as they navigate the funding negotiations. McConnell has called for collaboration with Senate Democrats to secure a clean continuing resolution to keep the government funded and avoid the pitfalls associated with a shutdown.