House Republicans, led by the efforts of House Speaker Mike Johnson, are appearing to link a controversial voting law to the upcoming government funding bill. If this bill isn’t passed, then a government shutdown may occur.
This controversial voting law — which Republicans are for, while Democrats are overwhelmingly against — would require all Americans to have proof of citizenship when registering to vote.
Another Government Shutdown Looms
For the last few weeks, there has been talk about adding this proof of citizenship voting requirement to the government funding bill.
This idea was first brought forth by far-right lawmakers in the House. Now, however, the idea appears to have been endorsed by Johnson — which could signal that a shutdown is looming ahead.
Keeping the Government Funded for Six Months
This upcoming funding bill, which the House and the Senate still need to pass, would keep the government funded for the next six months.
In recent years, government funding has become incredibly dramatic and complex, as both political sides haven’t been able to come together to agree on budget talks.
Avoiding a Government Shutdown
If Congress truly wants to avoid a government shutdown, then they need to approve this stop-gap spending bill before September 30.
September 30 is the end of the current budget year. It’s also only a few weeks before Americans will head to the polls to vote for the next U.S. president.
Johnson Supports Voter Registration Requirements
Johnson has recently come out to further explain why he is linking these voter registration requirements to the funding bill.
“Today, House Republicans are taking a critically important step to keep the federal government funded and to secure our federal election process,” Johnson said. “Congress has a responsibility to do both, and we must ensure that only American citizens can decide American elections.”
Why Democrats Are Against Requirements
Many Democrats, including President Joe Biden, have publicly come out against these types of voter registration laws.
According to critics of this idea, requiring Americans to have proof of citizenship — such as a birth certificate or passport — when they register will make it more difficult for people to truly register. Often, people register at locations such as college voter registration drives or county fairs. They likely don’t have proof of citizenship in these cases.
Illegally Voting
Critics of these laws have also pointed out that it’s already illegal for any noncitizen to vote in any election in the U.S.
Furthermore, though there are instances of this happening, law enforcement officials have yet to find a concerted, mass effort by many noncitizens to vote in any previous U.S. election.
Why Republicans Are Pushing for the Law
Under former President Donald Trump, Republicans have increasingly pushed for voter registration laws to be enacted.
Many of Trump’s most vocal supporters have claimed that illegal immigrants are crossing the southern border to vote in the election for the Democrats. This has never been proven.
Democrats Fight Back
Leading Democrats in Congress have already released statements fighting back against Johnson and his funding bill.
These Democrats have pointed out that Johnson is making a similar mistake that former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy previously made by listening to only the far-right members of the Republican party.
Catering to the Far Right?
Democratic Senators Chuck Schumer and Patty Murray released a statement explaining that Johnson was only catering to the far right and being very partisan.
They said, “As we have said repeatedly, avoiding a government shutdown requires bipartisanship, not a bill drawn up by one party. Speaker Johnson is making the same mistake as former Speaker McCarthy did a year ago, by wasting precious time catering to the hard MAGA right. This tactic didn’t work last September and it will not work this year either.”
A Partisan Move
Schumer and Murray further stated that if Johnson truly pushes for this, then it will end badly for him.
They said that if Johnson “drives House Republicans down this highly partisan path, the odds of a shutdown go way up, and Americans will know that the responsibility of a shutdown will be on the House Republicans’ hands.”
Will This Affect the Election?
This fight in Congress could affect the election in November in a variety of ways. For example, Republicans could get ahead in swing districts by making this an issue revolving around immigration.
Meanwhile, Democrats could use it to their advantage, especially if a government shutdown does occur, by blaming the Republicans who pushed for this to be added to a bill designed for funding.
