House Speaker’s New Spending Bill Includes Controversial Voter Requirement

Speaker Mike Johnson is stirring debate with a new bill aiming to link government funding with proof of citizenship for voters.

At a Glance

House Speaker Mike Johnson advocates a bill linking government funding with proof of voter citizenship.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer calls for a bipartisan plan.
Johnson is pushing for consensus within the Republican ranks.
The current bill would prevent a government shutdown on October 1; however, it was struck down in the House in a 220-202 vote.

House Vote on Election Security Measure

The House is set to vote on Speaker Mike Johnson’s proposal aimed at linking federal government funding with the requirement for proof of citizenship for voter registration. This measure is a key priority for Republicans ahead of the upcoming elections.

Johnson previously withdrew the bill to gather more consensus within the Republican ranks, reflecting concerns even among GOP members about continuing current spending levels. The proposed legislation would fund government agencies at current levels while a full-year spending agreement is negotiated. Johnson insists that securing the vote is crucial and has not considered an alternative funding plan.

Controversy and Opposition

The requirement for voter proof of citizenship has stirred significant opposition from Democrats and some Republicans. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer believes the House vote will fail and calls for a bipartisan plan instead. He stated, “The only thing that will accomplish is to make clear that he’s running into a dead end. We must have a bipartisan plan instead.”

“Speaker Johnson, scrap your plan. Don’t just delay the vote. Find a better one that can pass in a bipartisan way,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in response to Johnson’s announcement.

The House had previously approved a bill with the proof of citizenship mandate in July, but it faced substantial opposition from hard-liners within the party, leading to the bill’s withdrawal. Johnson’s determination to hold the vote showcases his commitment to ensuring election security, a topic of priority within the GOP.

Implications for Government Funding

The ongoing debate over the bill has broader implications for government funding. Lawmakers need a stopgap measure to prevent a partial government shutdown on October 1. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has emphasized the need to avoid a government shutdown, aligning with the need for a stopgap funding measure.

“It’s very, very serious stuff,” Johnson said, “and that’s why we’re going to do the right thing. We’re going to responsibly fund the government and we’re going to stop non-citizens voting in elections.” He asserted that even a small number of noncitizen votes could sway close races, which justifies the need for proof of citizenship for voter registration.

Unfortunately, this crucial measure was voted down in a 220-202 vote. Congress now has until September 30 to pass another stopgap measure to avoid a partial shutdown.