Speaker Moves Ahead with Funding Plan Linked to Crackdown on Non-Citizen Voting

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) is pressing forward with a high-stakes plan to avoid a government shutdown by linking a short-term spending bill to measures aimed at preventing non-citizens from voting in federal elections. On Wednesday, the GOP-controlled House is expected to vote on the proposal, which includes a six-month continuing resolution (CR) and the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act.

“Congress has an immediate obligation to do two things: responsibly fund the federal government and ensure the security of our elections,” Johnson stated, underscoring the urgency of both issues. By tying the two together, Johnson hopes to win support from his GOP colleagues and send the bill to the Senate, where it faces fierce opposition.

The SAVE Act seeks to tighten voting laws by requiring individuals to show proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections and calls for states to remove non-citizens from voter rolls. While the bill passed the House in July with some bipartisan support, it stalled in the Senate, controlled by Democrats. Now, Johnson is leveraging the looming government shutdown to force action.

Critics of the SAVE Act argue that the legislation would place unnecessary barriers on legitimate voters and claim there is little evidence of widespread non-citizen voting. However, Johnson’s report points to examples of non-citizens appearing on voter rolls in Massachusetts, Ohio, and Virginia, which he claims highlight a “National Voter Registration Act loophole”. Johnson insists that his bill is necessary to prevent election interference and protect the integrity of American elections.

Despite the urgency, Johnson’s plan is encountering pushback from both sides:

• Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) dismissed the proposal as “Republican extremism” and vowed not to entertain it.

• President Joe Biden has already threatened to veto the measure if it reaches his desk, citing concerns over its potential to disenfranchise voters.

• Some Republicans have also voiced skepticism. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) criticized the inability to pass a full appropriations bill and expressed opposition to continuing what he calls a path of “destructive spending.”

On the other hand, GOP members like Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) back the strategy, emphasizing the need to avoid a lame-duck omnibus by passing a CR with the SAVE Act attached. Former President Donald Trump has also weighed in, urging Republicans to allow a shutdown if they cannot secure election security reforms as part of the deal.

While it’s unclear if any Democrats will support the plan, both parties have shown willingness to negotiate certain aspects of the funding package. For example, additional funding for the Secret Service may be included to address rising security needs following recent assassination attempts on Trump.

With the government shutdown deadline approaching, the coming days will determine whether Speaker Johnson can rally enough support to pass this controversial stopgap measure.

Please share this article or subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed.