Democrats are pushing to pass permanent funding bills by the end of the calendar year, despite Republican efforts to delay funding.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) announced on Sept. 12 that his caucus will not support any bill that temporarily funds the government beyond 2024 or includes a requirement for proof of citizenship to register to vote.
With just 18 days left before government funding expires, House Republicans have introduced a continuing resolution (CR) to temporarily fund the government at Fiscal Year 2024 levels until March 28, 2025. This bill includes controversial legislation known as the âSafeguard American Voter Eligibilityâ (SAVE) Act, which aims to prevent foreign nationals from voting in U.S. elections.
A vote on the bill scheduled for Sept. 11 was canceled by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) due to opposition within the Republican conference. Jeffries confirmed on Sept. 12 that his caucus would not provide the necessary votes to pass the bill, citing concerns with both the SAVE Act and the duration of funding.
Jeffries emphasized the importance of bipartisan cooperation, stating, âWe are simply asking traditional Republicans to partner with House Democrats in a bipartisan way.â He also criticized the SAVE Act as part of the âProject 2025 agenda,â which has been disavowed by former President Donald Trump.
Republican supporters of the CR argue that extending funding until March 2025 is necessary in hopes that Republicans will gain control of the Senate and the White House, allowing them to pass more conservative spending bills.
Echoing the Biden administration’s stance, Jeffries stressed the need to finalize the government funding process by the end of 2024, before the new president takes office.
âWe want to get it resolved this calendar year because thatâs the only practical way to meet the needs of the American people,â Jeffries stated.
He warned against a âcleanâ CR without the SAVE Act but of similar length, as proposed by some Republicans, pointing out significant cuts it would impose on essential government aspects.
Jeffries highlighted the impacts of the Republican CR, stating, âThe Republican, so-called clean continuing resolution cuts veteransâ healthcare by $12 billion. It shortchanges our military readiness by $6 billion. It will result in the elimination of at least 2,000 jobs from the Social Security Administration and undermine Social Security as we know it, and it will shortchange disaster assistance by about $25 billion.â
The House adjourned for the week following Jeffriesâ remarks. Both chambers of Congress must pass a CR before Sept. 30 to prevent a shutdown, which would occur just one month before the general election on Nov. 5.
Republican opposition to the CR stems from fiscal conservatives in the House.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) criticized the CR, stating, âI refuse to be a thespian in the Speakerâs failure theater. The 6-month continuing resolution with the SAVE Act attached is an insult to Americansâ intelligence. The CR doesnât cut spending, and the shiny object attached to it will be dropped like a hot potato before passage.â
Other Republicans are also against funding the government at the previous fiscal yearâs levels and aim to halt spending on certain programs.
Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), who is also the partyâs U.S. Senate nominee in Indiana, opposed the CR, saying, âThe awful omnibus we passed in March spent taxpayer dollars on abortions and gender transition for minors. Why would I vote to keep funding that nonsense? Iâm a no on the CR. Why would I vote to continue that spending when our national debt is over $35 trillion and growing by $1 trillion every 100 days?â
House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed optimism about finding a path forward, stating, âWeâre having thoughtful conversations, family conversations within the Republican conference. I believe we’ll get there.â
