House Passes Bill to Avert Shutdown Before Election, Sent to Senate
The House of Representatives recently passed a crucial funding bill in a bipartisan effort to avert a government shutdown before the upcoming election. The bill, which passed with an overwhelming vote of 341-82, now heads to the Senate for approval. This move comes after House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) removed a controversial proposal demanded by President Donald Trump that would have required Americans nationwide to show proof of citizenship to register to vote.
House Republicans Rely on Democratic Votes
House Republican leaders faced internal divisions within their party, prompting them to rely on Democratic votes to pass the short-term funding measure. The bill, negotiated by Speaker Johnson and top Democrats, funds the government at current levels through December 20th. This sets the stage for another spending battle right before the holiday season.
Interestingly, all opposition to the bill came from Republicans, highlighting the internal rift within the party. Despite objections from some conservative members, the bill’s passage was seen as a necessary step to prevent a government shutdown.
Trump’s Demands and GOP Response
President Trump had publicly insisted that congressional Republicans include the proof-of-citizenship election legislation, known as the SAVE Act, in the funding bill. However, after the House rejected a previous package that combined government funding with the SAVE Act, Speaker Johnson decided to strip out the controversial provision and bring a clean spending bill to the floor.
In a press conference, Johnson defended his decision, stating that shutting down the government just weeks before the election would be “political malpractice.” He emphasized that the primary focus should be on ensuring election security, a sentiment shared by both himself and President Trump.
The Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer, was criticized by Johnson for failing to take up the SAVE Act as a standalone measure in the Senate. Despite the challenges and disagreements, both parties expressed a strong desire to avoid a government shutdown and work together to pass the funding bill swiftly.
Senate’s Role and Future Outlook
The Senate is expected to approve the funding bill later this week, well before the October 1st shutdown deadline. With both chambers set to adjourn for a lengthy recess and not reconvene until after the election, the focus is on ensuring government operations continue smoothly until December 20th.
Republican Senator John Boozman emphasized the importance of avoiding a shutdown, especially in the current political climate. He expressed confidence that Congress would come together to pass the bill and address any potential challenges in the post-election lame duck session.
While some conservative members expressed reservations about the short-term funding bill, others pointed to the need for bipartisan cooperation in moving forward. Former Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry highlighted the Senate’s inaction on appropriations bills as a contributing factor to the current situation.
In response, Senator Schumer stressed the importance of prioritizing the swift passage of the funding bill to avoid any disruptions in government operations. He urged House Republican leadership to act quickly and avoid partisan tactics that could derail the process.
In conclusion, the passage of the funding bill in the House marks a significant step towards averting a government shutdown before the election. With the Senate expected to approve the measure soon, both parties must work together to ensure the smooth functioning of the government until December 20th. The focus now shifts to addressing any remaining challenges and maintaining bipartisan cooperation in the coming weeks.
