Lawmakers predict Speaker Mike Johnson will introduce a clean spending bill to prevent a government shutdown, funding the government until December. His previous proposal, which included proof of citizenship for voter registration, failed on the House floor. Both parties are now expected to engage in bipartisan talks to keep the government running past the October 1 deadline.
Speaker Expected to Introduce Clean Spending Bill
Lawmakers are widely expecting that House Speaker Mike Johnson will soon introduce a clean spending bill to keep the government funded into December. This comes after his conservative-favored proposal, which tied government funding through March to a Republican voter ID plan, failed on the House floor. The clean spending bill would likely rely on Democratic support, as 14 GOP members voted against his initial proposal.
Johnson Faces Pressure from Both Sides
Despite Johnson not revealing his next steps publicly, many within the Republican Party and even some Democratic lawmakers believe a bipartisan plan will emerge. If passed, it would prevent the looming government shutdown set for October 1. Republicans in both chambers expect Johnson will greenlight the new plan mid-next week, even though former President Donald Trump has urged Republicans to push for his voter registration proposal, known as the SAVE Act.
Internal GOP Discussions and Challenges
Sources within the GOP suggest that a short-term funding measure will likely extend into December, even though it’s not what some hardline conservatives hoped for. Republicans familiar with the internal discussions believe the likelihood of a government shutdown is slim, as lawmakers understand the political risks involved. However, Johnson’s predicament underscores the divide within the party, as many conservatives continue to advocate for stricter immigration and voting laws.
Senate Prepares for Funding Bill
On the Senate side, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has already positioned the chamber to begin discussions on a bipartisan spending bill in case talks in the House falter. Schumer’s office is prepared to start procedural votes on a stopgap spending measure by next week. Talks between Senate Republicans and the Biden administration are already in progress, setting the stage for possible bipartisan cooperation.
Bipartisan Talks Begin Amid Shutdown Fears
Republicans and Democrats have shown signs of starting bipartisan talks to avoid a shutdown. Senator Susan Collins, the top Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee, indicated that conversations with the White House have begun. Additionally, both sides are discussing potential additions to the stopgap bill, including disaster relief funds and increased spending for the Secret Service.
Political Implications of a Government Shutdown
Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell have both emphasized that a government shutdown would be politically damaging, especially with elections approaching in November. However, Johnson’s situation is precarious, as he must balance the concerns of his party’s conservative wing with the need to avoid a shutdown. Although some conservatives are pushing for a six-month funding bill, this is unlikely to gain enough support without Democratic backing.
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