Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is pushing ahead with his proposal to avoid a government shutdown despite strong Republican opposition, paving the way for a potentially embarrassing vote on the House floor that will derail the Speaker’s funding approach.
At least six Republicans, including hard-line conservatives and defense hawks, have stated that they will vote against Johnson’s government funding plan, which combines a six-month continuing resolution (CR) with a bill supported by former President Trump that requires proof of citizenship to vote. Republicans can only afford to lose four members if all Democrats vote “no” and everyone attends.
On the other hand, the Speaker is pushing ahead with his plan, claiming that the significance of the legislation, particularly the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, necessitates a floor vote.
“We’re going to put the SAVE Act and the CR together and move that through the process,” Johnson told reporters Tuesday morning. “I am committed to that. We’re not considering any other alternatives or steps; I believe it’s the proper thing to do.
When asked about the bleak vote total, Johnson replied, “You all know how I operate: You do the right thing, and you let the chips fall where they may.” “So, we’ll see what happens,” he explained.
The Speaker conveyed that message to members during the Tuesday morning conference meeting. One person in the meeting said Johnson was “doubling down on the CR,” while another said he was “passionately pushing” for his funding proposal.
Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), a plan supporter, said it is “good news” because Johnson is “sticking with it.” While one member claimed that the naysayers were addressed in the room, Norman stated there was no evidence that they had modified their positions. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who said he would vote against the proposal, called the funding package “a fairy tale,” according to a source in the room.
Those opposed to the plan include fiscal hawks who reject any type of CR to fund the government at current levels, defense hawks concerned about the impact of a six-month CR on the military, and moderates dubious of Johnson’s tactics.
Johnson’s financial plan was put to the test Tuesday afternoon, and it passed with a vote of 209 to 206. Reps. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) and Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) joined Democrats in opposing the rule for the bill. A final vote is likely on Wednesday. Even if it gets through, prominent Senate Democrats have declared it a non-starter.
However, those possibilities were not mentioned at Tuesday morning’s meeting, upsetting cautious moderates pressuring Johnson to more explicitly describe how he intends to proceed with a legislative package that would fail even if Republicans unanimously supported it. Schumer is developing an alternate stopgap, and the White House has stated that President Biden will veto the Republican plan if it reaches his desk. Despite Republican infighting, Johnson indicated Tuesday that he recognizes the dangers of a federal shutdown so close to an election. “I understand the risks of a shutdown,” Johnson stated. “I understand the risk, and we will do the right thing and see what happens.”
