US House set to vote on Republican-backed stopgap funding measure
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[September 11, 2024]
By Bo Erickson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday is
due to vote on a six-month stopgap funding bill proposed by Republican
Speaker Mike Johnson that faces stiff Democratic opposition, less than
three weeks before a government shutdown deadline.
House Republicans have attached a controversial provision requiring
people to provide proof of citizenship to register to vote, a measure
meant to force Democrats to take stances on the politically charged
issue of non-citizen voting, which already is illegal in federal
elections.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who continues to falsely
claim his 2020 loss was the result of fraud, has urged Republicans to
pass the voting measure ahead of the Nov. 5 election.
The federal government's fiscal year ends on Sept. 30, when funding for
many agencies expires. Without some sort of extension, federal programs
not deemed essential would have to suspend many of their operations,
forcing thousands of government workers to go on leave.
Congress will be motivated to approve a stopgap funding bill by the end
of this month for two primary reasons: Members of the House and Senate
want to get back to their home states and districts to campaign for
reelection. And, a government shutdown, especially just before an
election, is likely to trigger voter backlash over whichever party is
blamed for any failure to legislate in time.
Success for the funding bill is not guaranteed in the chamber that
Republicans control by a narrow 220-211 margin. Several House
Republicans have said they would vote against the measure, citing
spending concerns, and many members of the caucus generally oppose
stopgap spending measures.
Johnson told reporters he meant to press ahead, saying, "We do the right
thing and let the chips fall as they may."
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The dome of the U.S. Capitol building is seen on a rainy day in
Washington, U.S., September 26, 2023. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo
Two Republicans joined Democrats on Tuesday in voting against a
procedural move to advance the bill.
If the funding package passes the House, it faces opposition from
Democrats who hold a Senate majority. They broadly see the
citizenship registration requirement as meant to undermine
confidence in administering elections.
"We're watching a movie we've seen over and over again," said Senate
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. "House Republicans are trying to pass
a bill so partisan that it even splits their own caucus. This
proposal isn't even serious."
The White House on Monday said President Joe Biden would veto this
funding package, citing the “unrelated cynical” voting requirement.
The administration also wants a temporary funding period shorter
than six months, as well as more money for the Federal Emergency
Management Agency to fix infrastructure damaged by natural
disasters.
Lawmakers face an even more critical self-imposed deadline on Jan.
1, before which they must act to raise or extend the nation's debt
ceiling or risk defaulting on more than $35 trillion in federal
government debt.
(Reporting by Bo Erickson; Editing by Scott Malone and Jonathan
Oatis)
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