Schumer Blocks GOP Push to Tie Voter Citizenship Bill to Spending Legislation

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has rejected a GOP-led proposal to combine a short-term spending measure with an election integrity bill, setting the stage for a heated clash between the Senate and the GOP-controlled House. The bill in question, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, would require voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship to register in federal elections.

In a letter to Senate colleagues on Sunday, Schumer signaled that the chamber would not consider the measure, warning of the risk of a government shutdown if a deal is not reached to fund federal agencies by the end of September. “We will not let poison pills or Republican extremism put funding for critical programs at risk,” Schumer wrote, reiterating that Democrats would support a continuing resolution, but without partisan provisions like the SAVE Act.

The House GOP has tied the SAVE Act to their version of the continuing resolution, which would fund the government through March 28. This comes as part of their efforts to reform the electoral process and ensure that non-citizens are removed from voter rolls. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has been a vocal proponent of the measure, citing concerns about non-citizens being registered to vote in various states due to loopholes in the National Voter Registration Act.

Schumer, alongside Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-WA), issued a joint statement, accusing Republicans of pushing partisan legislation that would only increase the likelihood of a shutdown. “Avoiding a government shutdown requires bipartisanship, not a bill drawn up by one party,” the statement read. The Biden administration has also signaled its opposition to the bill, deeming it unnecessary and burdensome to legal voters.

The House passed the SAVE Act as a standalone bill in July, gaining some bipartisan support. However, it was quickly shot down in the Senate. Critics of the act argue that it would place unfair restrictions on legitimate voters, while Republicans counter that preventing illegal voting is essential to preserving election integrity.

Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), a strong advocate for the SAVE Act, responded to Schumer’s rejection by stating, “Schumer thinks that preventing illegal immigrants from voting is ‘Republican extremism.’ That means every Democrat supports allowing illegal immigrants to vote. This is insane, a threat to democracy.”

Meanwhile, Democrats in Congress are working on a shorter-term funding plan, pushing for a measure that would last until mid-December. Their goal is to avoid complicating the early months of Vice President Kamala Harris’s potential first term if she wins the presidential election. House conservatives, however, want the spending extension to last through early next year to ensure that Democrats cannot push a massive December spending bill in the event of a Trump victory.

As the debate heats up, the clock is ticking toward the end of September, with a potential government shutdown on the horizon. Both sides will need to find common ground soon, or risk the consequences of another shutdown that would affect millions of Americans.

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