Speaker Johnson Renews Attempt to Pass Proof of Citizenship Spending Bill for New Voters

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House of Representatives is set to vote Wednesday on a proposal from Speaker Mike Johnson that would link federal government funding for the new fiscal year to a measure requiring states to show proof of citizenship when registering to vote.

Johnson he pulled out the bill from consideration last week and said he would work through the weekend to build consensus among Republican ranks. It’s unclear whether he’s been able to do that, as some GOP members have concerns about maintaining current spending levels, but Johnson said he’s committed to holding the vote regardless. Democrats, meanwhile, overwhelmingly oppose the measure.

Requiring new voters to show proof of citizenship has become a top election-year priority for Republicans, raising the specter of non-citizens voting in the U.S. even though it is already illegal and studies have shown that such a vote is rare.

“I call on all of my colleagues to do what the vast majority of the citizens of this country demand and deserve – block citizens of other countries from voting in American elections,” Johnson said on Tuesday.

Johnson told reporters he was not prepared to discuss an alternative plan to fund the government beyond the one that will be presented to the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

“I’m not having any alternative conversations. This is art. This is important. And I’m going to work around the clock to try to do that,” Johnson said.

House members also said Johnson did not discuss alternatives with them in case the bill was rejected.

“There is no plan B,” said Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla.

Lawmakers are not yet close to finalizing more than a dozen annual spending bills that will provide funding for agencies in the next fiscal year, so they will need to approve a stopgap measure to prevent a partial shutdown when the new fiscal year begins on Oct. 1.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the only way to prevent a government shutdown is for both parties to work on a deal. He said the House vote Johnson has announced is doomed to failure.

“The only thing that can be accomplished is to make it clear that this is a dead end,” Schumer said. “Instead, we need to have a bipartisan plan.”

The bill would keep agencies funded at current levels while lawmakers work out differences on a year-long spending agreement.

Democrats and some Republicans are pushing for a short extension. The temporary solution would allow the current Congress to craft a final bill after the election and deliver it to Democratic President Joe Biden’s desk for signing.

But Johnson and some more conservative members of his conference are pushing for a six-month extension, hoping Republican candidate Donald Trump wins the election, which would give them more room to maneuver in crafting a year-long bill.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky declined to take a position on how long the funding should be extended, saying Schumer and Johnson would ultimately have to work out a final deal that could be passed by both chambers.

“One thing you can’t have is a government shutdown. It would be politically untenable for us to do that right before the election because we would certainly get blamed,” McConnell said.

On Sunday, Johnson traveled to Florida to meet with Trump, who had earlier apparently encouraged a government shutdown if Republicans “don’t get assurances about election security.” Trump said on the social media platform Truth Social that they shouldn’t introduce a stopgap bill without such assurances.

The House passed a bill requiring proof of citizenship back in JulySome Republicans who see the issue as popular with their voters are pushing for another chance to show support for the initiative.