Speaker Mike Johnson’s proposed government funding plan, which includes a six-month stopgap measure with new proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration, is scheduled for a full House vote on Wednesday. However, the proposal faces significant obstacles and may still be pulled before reaching the floor.
Current Situation:
The measure is unlikely to pass with GOP votes alone due to substantial opposition within the party. Nearly a dozen House Republicans have publicly stated their intention to vote against Johnson’s plan. Meanwhile, Democrats are expected to oppose the bill, viewing the voter registration provision as a non-starter. Only one Democrat, Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), has expressed willingness to support the bill.
Despite the challenges, Johnson is pressing forward. On Tuesday night, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) was hospitalized in Washington after experiencing “stroke-like symptoms,” further complicating Johnson’s ability to secure enough votes.
When questioned about the possibility of introducing a “clean” stopgap bill without the voter registration provisions, Johnson remained non-committal. “I am not going to engage in conjecture or game out all the outcomes,” he told reporters.
Former President Donald Trump weighed in on the debate, urging House Republicans to stand firm on the election provisions. “If Republicans in the House, and Senate, don’t get absolute assurances on Election Security, THEY SHOULD, IN NO WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM, GO FORWARD WITH A CONTINUING RESOLUTION,” Trump wrote on social media.
Even if House Republicans manage to pass the short-term spending bill with the election provisions, it faces almost certain rejection in the Democratic-controlled Senate. Democrats argue that the provisions are unnecessary, as it is already illegal for noncitizens to register to vote in federal elections.