Government shutdown could come down to one piece of legislation

HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – When lawmakers return from summer break on Monday, they will have just three weeks to reach a new spending deal — or the government will shut down.

There is, however, a point of contention.

Republicans are pushing to include the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or SAVE Act, in any measure that would expand federal spending. The bill would require potential voters to show proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote.

During a conversation with WHSV, Virginia’s 6th District Representative Ben Cline said the GOP will stand its ground to save the SAVE Act, even in the shadow of a government shutdown.

“If Democrats want to shut down the government for allowing illegal immigrants to vote, that’s their business,” Cline said. “It’s pretty ridiculous that they did that. … We think it’s a reasonable, pretty straightforward piece of legislation that would have to be passed as a continuing resolution to keep the government running and also keep our elections safe.”

President Joe Biden has vowed to veto the SAVE Act if it reaches his desk, writing that “states already have effective safeguards” against election fraud.