The House GOP is gearing up for a major showdown with Democrats by attaching a controversial voting requirement to a short-term spending bill, potentially leading to a government shutdown just weeks before the midterm elections.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has proposed an interim spending bill extending into the first quarter of 2025 to avoid a government shutdown on Oct. 1. But, attached to this bill will be the controversial “SAVE Act” – the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act. This legislation, which passed the House in July with Republican support and five Democratic votes, requires voters to provide proof of citizenship to participate in federal elections.
The move is backed by the House Freedom Caucus, a group of conservative lawmakers, who argue that it’s necessary to prevent voter fraud and protect the integrity of elections. They point to instances where local jurisdictions like Oakland, Calif., allow non-citizens to vote in local elections, expressing concerns that this could extend to federal elections.
Furthermore, the Freedom Caucus believes the SAVE Act serves as a potent campaign issue, putting Democrats in a difficult position and allowing Republicans to capitalize on the ongoing border crisis narrative. Former President Trump has also voiced his support for the measure, urging Republicans to take a hard stance on the issue.
However, the plan has drawn criticism from Democrats and some Republicans who see it as a solution in search of a problem. They argue there’s no evidence of widespread voter fraud by non-citizens and that the proposal unnecessarily creates new hurdles for voters. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., a former astronaut and a top Democrat in a key swing state, has stated, “There is no evidence that undocumented migrants vote. This is a solution looking for a problem.”
The GOP’s strategy is to score political points by forcing Democrats who voted in favor of the SAVE Act in July to vote against it this time. Republicans believe this could put pressure on vulnerable Democrats ahead of the November elections. However, the plan isn’t guaranteed to pass. Some Republicans traditionally oppose interim spending bills, and the math is unclear on whether enough support exists.
Should the bill pass the House, it will likely face opposition in the Democrat-controlled Senate, which is expected to strip the SAVE Act from the spending bill. This will leave Speaker Johnson with a tough decision. Does he risk a government shutdown – a move that could backfire politically weeks before the elections – or does he accept the Senate’s version of the bill? The latter could alienate conservative Republicans and potentially undermine his leadership.
The situation is further complicated by the House GOP’s eagerness to wrap up the legislative session and begin campaigning. Many Republicans are eager to leave Washington and hit the trail, making them potentially receptive to accepting any deal that allows them to do so. However, this could also lead to internal GOP dissatisfaction and accusations of abandoning conservative principles.
The House GOP’s decision to tie a contentious voting requirement to a crucial spending bill could have significant political repercussions, potentially influencing the outcome of the midterm elections. As the clock ticks down to the Sept. 30 deadline, Speaker Johnson will need to carefully weigh the risks and rewards of his actions, navigating the complex political landscape while trying to avoid a government shutdown and appease his party’s diverse factions.
