As the September 30 deadline approaches, Congress is grappling with a looming government shutdown, with both parties entrenched in their positions, the Hill reports.
The disagreement centers on funding bills, as Republicans and Democrats prepare for what could be a prolonged debate over key issues like voting requirements and government spending.
House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), unveiled a plan on Friday that links a six-month stopgap funding measure—known as a continuing resolution (CR)—to legislation promoting stricter proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration. Johnson argued that Congress must both fund the government and ensure the integrity of US elections. However, the proposal has met skepticism, even within the Republican Party, with some questioning its viability.
Conservatives are pushing for a longer stopgap that extends past December, anticipating the possibility of a Trump administration returning in 2025. Meanwhile, some Republicans are wary of leaving complex budget negotiations to a new Congress, which could face additional challenges like the debt limit early next year.
The proposal, which includes the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, is unlikely to pass the Democratic-controlled Senate, and some GOP members have already voiced opposition. Representative Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) criticized the strategy, calling for a focus on passing all 12 appropriations bills.
Democrats have rejected the Republican-backed plan, with Shalanda Young, Director of the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, urging lawmakers to prioritize bipartisan solutions that address urgent needs, including defense and veterans’ services. The spending debate also coincides with a budget shortfall of nearly $3 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which risks disrupting payments to millions of veterans if Congress does not act by September 20.