WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – A government funding fight is consuming Congress once again as a shutdown deadline looms.
You could say it’s gametime on Capitol Hill for government funding.
“We’re on the field in the middle of the game the quarterbacks calling the play We’re going to run the play,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).
House Speaker Mike Johnson wants to pair a six-month government funding bill with the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship to vote.
“Congress has two very important assignments right now immediately to be done one is to make sure the government is funded and the second is to make sure our elections are secure,” said Johnson.
Democrats call that measure a poison pill.
Congressman Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) points out it’s already against federal law for non-U.S. citizens to vote in elections.
“This is Republican theatrics that are meant to appease the most extreme members of the conference,” said Aguilar.
Even Republicans are divided with some of them saying they’re against the funding package because it would fund government agencies at their current levels, instead of cutting spending.
Congressman Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) said in a post on X, “I’m not voting for a CR that would continue digging your grandchildren’s financial hole.”
The government funding deadline is September 30th and Senate Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) says he’s waiting for House Republicans to come to the table and negotiate.
“We don’t have time to spare,” said Schumer.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) says Republicans are in trouble if they let the government shut down.
“It would be politically beyond stupid for us to do that right before the election, because certainly we’d get the blame,” said McConnell.
Former president Donald Trump weighed in on the fight, saying on Truth Social if Republicans don’t get the SAVE Act, and every ounce of it, they should not agree to a continuing resolution in any way shape or form.