House Rejects Mike Johnson’s Six-Month Spending Bill Amid GOP Divisions Over Fiscal Policy

September 22, 2024

House Republicans face internal divisions as Speaker Mike Johnson’s six-month spending bill fails to pass, leaving the government at risk of a partial shutdown.

At a Glance

The House rejected Speaker Johnson’s six-month spending bill with a 202-220 vote
The bill included the SAVE Act, requiring proof of citizenship for federal voting
Internal GOP conflicts over budgetary approaches and fiscal policy contributed to the bill’s failure
A partial government shutdown looms if a new spending measure isn’t approved by October 1

GOP Divisions Sink Spending Bill

In a significant setback for House Speaker Mike Johnson, his proposed six-month spending bill was rejected by a 202-220 vote, highlighting deep fissures within the Republican Party over fiscal policy and election integrity measures. The bill, which included the controversial SAVE Act requiring proof of citizenship for federal voting, failed to garner enough support from Johnson’s own party, exposing the challenges of managing a slim GOP majority.

The failure of this bill puts Congress on a collision course with a potential partial government shutdown if a new spending measure isn’t approved by October 1. Johnson, who had emphasized the importance of both funding the government and ensuring election security, now faces the daunting task of crafting an alternative plan that can bridge the divide within his party.

NEW: Speaker Mike Johnson’s six-month long government funding bill has failed in the House of Representatives less than two weeks before a possible government shutdown.

Scripps News' @ReedReports reports. pic.twitter.com/30plsdYDfB

— Scripps News (@scrippsnews) September 19, 2024

The SAVE Act and Election Integrity

A key component of Johnson’s failed bill was the inclusion of the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship for voter registration in federal elections. This measure has been a priority for many Republicans, who argue it’s necessary to prevent noncitizen voting, despite research indicating such occurrences are rare.

“It’s very, very serious stuff and that’s why we’re going to do the right thing,” Johnson said. “We’re going to responsibly fund the government and we’re going to stop noncitizens voting in elections.”

However, critics argue that such requirements could potentially disenfranchise millions of American citizens who lack readily available birth certificates or passports. The inclusion of this controversial measure in a spending bill highlights the ongoing debate over the balance between election security and voter access.

Internal GOP Conflicts

The bill’s failure underscores the deep ideological rifts within the Republican Party. Some conservative members opposed the bill for not going far enough in cutting spending, while others preferred a shorter-term funding solution. This internal discord has left Johnson in a precarious position as he attempts to navigate the competing interests within his caucus.

Breaking News: Republicans joined House Democrats to defeat Speaker Mike Johnson’s stopgap spending bill as a federal shutdown looms at the end of the month. https://t.co/FJpvMg8k8u

— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 18, 2024

“We’ll draw up another play and we’ll come up with a solution,” Johnson, R-La., said. “I’m already talking to colleagues about their many ideas. We have time to fix the situation and we’ll get right to it.”

As the clock ticks toward a potential government shutdown, Johnson and House Republicans must find a way to bridge their internal divisions and craft a spending plan that can garner sufficient support. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether they can avoid a shutdown and address the fiscal priorities that have become a flashpoint within the party.