As Congress approaches another government funding deadline, Speaker Mike Johnson thought a funding bill coupled with a conservative election bill might be the answer.
With just 19 days left before government funding runs out and federal agencies are shut down, Republican leaders are scrambling to come up with a plan to keep things running and the doors open.
Johnson’s proposal to do so was announced last Friday and caught the attention of party leader Donald Trump, who suggested yesterday that if the Republican Party legislation fails to pass, the president should shut down the government.
That’s why Johnson decided not to bring the government funding bill to a vote today, signaling that his conference still needs to work out the details, because the clock is ticking and Trump is watching his every move.
Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America: Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Mike Johnson (Republican of Louisiana) is seen during a press conference with House Republican leaders at the Capitol Building in Washington DC on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Johnson scrapped his plan to hold a crucial vote on Wednesday
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Many Republicans are concerned that a shutdown of Congress could negatively impact their re-election chances in November, but party leader Donald Trump appears determined that Congress will move in that direction.
Trump is demanding that the SAVE Act, which would ban illegal immigrants from registering to vote, be passed before his race against Vice President Kamala Harris.
Nearly all Republicans support the strategy, though some criticize the size of the spending in the legislation.
Because the margin between Democrats and Republicans in the House is so small, Johnson can afford to lose only four GOP votes to the Democrats. Apparently, the Speaker thought the vote was too risky.
“There will be no vote today because we are here in Congress trying to build consensus with small majorities,” Johnson said Wednesday.
Johnson finds himself in a difficult position when it comes to managing the wishes of Donald Trump and those of his party
Congress must pass a government funding bill by October 1 or the federal system will shut down.
On Tuesday, he indicated that the only way to fund the government was through his proposal with the attached SAVE Act.
His opinion changed over the next day as he spoke to his members and advisors.
“That’s what you do. That’s what I’ve been doing since I became speaker. We’re having thoughtful conversations and family conversations within the Republican conference, and I believe we’ll get there.”
“So people are worried about all sorts of things. That’s the process, and sometimes it takes a little bit longer,” Johnson continued.
Trump directly called on Republicans in Congress not to continue funding the government unless the SAVE Act is added by Tuesday.
“If Republicans in the House and Senate cannot get absolute assurances about election security, then there is no way they should proceed with a continuing resolution on the budget.”
“The Democrats are trying to ‘stuff’ voter registrations with illegal aliens. Don’t let that happen – shut it down!” his message continued.
Trump has suggested that Johnson let federal funding expire if the SAVE Act fails to pass
Currently, 220 of the 435 members of the House of Representatives are Republicans, while 211 are Democrats. There are four vacancies.
Johnson can only afford to lose four votes from his Republican Party to get the bill passed.
And one of those members told DailyMail.com: ‘No, he doesn’t support the speaker’s funding plan.’
“I am voting ‘Hell No’ on the Continuing Appropriations and Other Matter Act this week,” Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie said in a statement to DailyMail.com on Monday.
“I don’t care what shiny object is attached to it, or what fake fight we start and don’t finish.”
“Congress is spending our country into oblivion, and this bill does not cut spending,” he concluded, reaffirming his opposition to the bill because it fails to address the ballooning growth of the $35 trillion U.S. national debt.
Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., was hospitalized Tuesday and his timetable for returning to Capitol Hill remains uncertain, adding an additional layer of complexity to Johnson’s financing plans.
And shockingly, one GOP member, Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., was suddenly hospitalized Tuesday night after experiencing “stroke-like symptoms.”
It is unclear when Wilson will be able to vote again.
In addition, several other Republican members have publicly indicated that they will not support the funding plan in its current form.
Time is running out and Johnson and his Republican leadership team have a lot of work to do and a lot of people to please.