Speaker Mike Johnson announced that the House will vote on a bill to fund the government through Dec. 20, avoiding a shutdown on Oct. 1 if approved. The measure is a short-term funding bill that does not include the SAVE Act, which requires proof of citizenship to register to vote. The bill also includes additional funding for the Secret Service for protective operations related to the 2024 Presidential Campaign. The bill is set to be reviewed by the Rules Committee on Monday and is likely to be considered on the House floor on Wednesday.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed relief that a bipartisan agreement was reached to fund the government, but criticized Johnson for causing delays in the process. Talks to prevent a shutdown are ongoing, with Schumer stating that there is a good chance the government will not shut down. Schumer emphasized the need to avoid delays and come to an agreement to prevent harm to the American people.
Discussions on government funding have been tense, particularly with less than 50 days left before the presidential election. Johnson’s previous strategy, including tying the funding bill to the SAVE Act, faced challenges within his own party. Former President Donald Trump had urged Republicans to shut down the government if their demands related to election security were not met. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell warned against a shutdown so close to the election, emphasizing the need to avoid such a scenario. Ultimately, the goal remains to reach an agreement to fund the government and prevent unnecessary disruptions.
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