House Speaker Mike Johnson’s attempt to avert a government shutdown has seemingly already failed, as many Republicans have opposed the proposal Johnson put forth.
Johnson’s proposal was quickly met with Democrat backlash. However, many GOP members have also criticized it, for a variety of reasons. Now, a potential government shutdown looms.
Johnson’s Controversial Plan
Many have called Johnson’s budget proposal controversial, particularly because the six-month continuing resolution (CR) was paired with a bill that would require Americans to provide proof of citizenship when they register to vote.
Leading Democrats have long been against this voting bill, which has been backed by former President Donald Trump and pushed by far-right members of the House.
A Partisan Move
Johnson’s proposal — which Democrats have blasted as a purely partisan move — was an attempt to squeeze the Democrats in both the House and Senate.
With full Republican support in both chambers, Republicans would have been able to override Democrat disapproval. However, Republicans in the House remain divided.
GOP Lawmakers Won’t Vote for Johnson’s Plan
Many House GOP lawmakers have already come out to explain that they won’t vote for Johnson’s plan.
At least six Republicans have stated as such, thereby killing Johnson’s attempt to avert a government shutdown.
Why Some Republicans Are Against the Plan
Republicans who are against this budget plan have a variety of reasons why they are against it.
While no GOP member seems to have an issue with the added voting bill attached to the budget, many have an issue with the CR in general.
Moderate Republicans Are Worried
Reporting has confirmed that many moderate Republicans are concerned about how the threat of a government shutdown would impact American voters, as the shutdown would happen so close to the November election.
Politically, this could hurt Republicans and end up helping Democrats gain an advantage over the GOP in the election in a variety of ways. Moderates don’t want to see this happen.
Defense Hawks Reject Plan
Meanwhile, House Republicans who are considered defense hawks have also publicly come out against Johnson’s plan.
These GOP members have explained that they don’t like how the six-month stopgap could impact Pentagon funding. They are against the idea of Johnson’s CR.
A Terrible Budget for the Defense
One of the most outspoken critics of this plan is Republican Representative Mike Rogers, the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.
Rogers has explained that he thinks this spending plan would negatively impact the Department of Defense, saying, “Six months are terrible for defense.”
Republicans Publicly Against Johnson’s Proposal
While reporting has swirled that there are many Republicans against this plan, only six have stated that they will vote against it.
These members include Representatives Rogers, Matt Rosendale, Tim Burchett, Jim Banks, Thomas Massie, and Cory Mills.
Bloated Spending
Banks has explained that he won’t vote for the proposal, as he views it as extending “bloated spending.”
“I’m not going to vote to extend bloated spending for six more months and grow the national debt, trillions of dollars more,” Banks said. “So it’s an easy no vote for me.”
Republicans Want Another Option
Reporting has also suggested that many Republicans, particularly moderate Republicans, are waiting to see what Johnson’s plan B proposal is.
As they await this other plan, these moderates are withholding their votes for the current package.
Johnson Says There’s No Plan B
Even amidst this clear Republican division in the House, Johnson has explained that he has no plan B. This proposal he has set forth is the only plan he has.
“There is no fallback position,” Johnson said. “This is a righteous fight. This is what the American people demand and deserve.”
