Government Funding Bill Hangs in the Balance as Shutdown Looms

As the clock ticks down to the October 1 deadline for a partial government shutdown, the US House is poised to vote on a funding bill that is met with resistance from both sides of the aisle. The bill, proposed by House Speaker Mike Johnson, combines a six-month stopgap funding measure with the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (Save) Act, which requires proof of citizenship when registering to vote. While Johnson asserts that this measure is necessary to ensure the security of elections, critics argue it's already illegal for non-citizens to vote and could hinder legitimate voters' efforts to cast their ballots. With Democrats overwhelmingly opposed to the proposal, Johnson can only afford a handful of defections within his own conference to pass the bill.Johnson's plan has sparked controversy, with hard-right Republicans rejecting any kind of continuing resolution amid demands for more budget cuts. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a hard-right Republican congresswoman from Georgia, slammed Johnson's strategy as a "classic bait and switch. " Meanwhile, Donald Trump has amplified baseless claims of widespread non-citizen voting, urging the House to only approve a government funding bill if it's linked to "election security" measures. Despite the opposition, Johnson remains committed to his plan, claiming that "Congress has an immediate obligation to responsibly fund the federal government and ensure the security of our elections. " However, given the narrow House majority and widespread opposition, it's unclear whether Johnson's bill will gain traction. In the meantime, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for a bipartisan agreement to avoid a shutdown, warning that "the Speaker's [continuing resolution] is too unworkable. " Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has also cautioned House Republicans against pursuing a shutdown, stating that it would be "politically, beyond stupid" to do so.