The U.S. House of Representatives, on Wednesday, voted to reject a Republican-led bill intended to prevent a looming government shutdown. With the deadline to extend federal funding fast approaching on September 30, tensions have significantly increased within Congress and among Republicans.

The rejected bill, crafted by House Speaker Mike Johnson, proposed to extend government funding for six months. In addition, it included a provision requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration in national elections. However, the Democratic-led Senate and the White House expressed strong opposition to the bill due to concerns about both the length of the funding extension and the voter registration provision.

As it stands, the government will run out of funds by September 30. Should lawmakers fail to reach an agreement, most government operations will halt starting October 1. This potential shutdown coincides with the early voting period for the November elections, affecting millions of Americans.

Key Issues Surrounding the Bill

Opposition From Both Parties

The bill was defeated in a 220-202 vote, with 14 Republicans joining Democrats in opposition. Two members chose to vote “present.” The bill’s defeat was largely expected, as many GOP lawmakers had already signaled their opposition to the legislation in the weeks leading up to the vote. Despite the looming deadline, Speaker Johnson (R-La.) made it clear that there was no backup plan, or “Plan B,” should the bill fail.

In the lead-up to the vote, Johnson remained steadfast, stating, “We’ll see what happens with the bill. We’re in the middle of the game. The quarterback is calling the play, and we’re going to run it.”

Blame Game and GOP In-Fighting

Republican leaders were aware that their bill was likely to fail. According to anonymous sources close to Speaker Johnson, Republicans are expected to shift the blame for the impasse onto Democrats and a small faction of GOP members who voted against the bill. With the defeat of the bill, the next step for Johnson is to negotiate with the Senate, which is led by Democrats.

However, former President Donald Trump complicated matters further when he posted on social media, urging Republicans to hold firm on the voter registration provision. Trump insisted that the bill should include all aspects of the citizenship verification measure or force a government shutdown. His post read:

“BE SMART, REPUBLICANS. YOU’VE BEEN PUSHED AROUND LONG ENOUGH BY THE DEMOCRATS. DON’T LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN.”

Democrats’ Alternative Plan

In response, Democratic lawmakers are expected to propose a short-term, three-month extension of government funding, commonly known as a Continuing Resolution (CR). The CR would keep government operations running while allowing time for negotiations. A number of pragmatic Republicans, who wish to avoid the repercussions of a shutdown, are supportive of this approach.

Diverging Republican Opinions on Government Funding

Defense Hawks’ Concerns

One of the key reasons for opposition to Johnson’s bill from within his own party comes from defense hawks, who expressed concern that a six-month funding extension would undermine national security. These lawmakers prefer a shorter extension that would provide Congress with more flexibility to negotiate new defense spending levels for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Fiscal Conservatives’ Stance

On the other side, fiscal conservatives rejected the proposed stopgap funding altogether, arguing that they could only support a full-year appropriations bill. Many Republicans feel that the temporary nature of CRs is a stopgap that delays addressing long-term spending issues and could lead to wasteful government expenditures.

These divides within the GOP echo the internal conflicts that led to the ousting of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy in 2023, following similar disputes over government funding. Many far-right Republicans are staunchly opposed to CRs, viewing them as a temporary fix that does not address broader fiscal concerns.

A Battle Over Omnibus Bills

The tensions between far-right Republicans and more moderate members of the GOP also revolve around the potential for an omnibus spending bill. A six-month extension, such as the one proposed by Speaker Johnson, would effectively eliminate the possibility of Congress passing an omnibus bill during a lame-duck session after the election.

Omnibus bills combine multiple appropriations into one piece of legislation, allowing lawmakers to pass all necessary spending in a single vote. However, many conservative Republicans strongly oppose omnibus bills, arguing that they lack transparency and encourage reckless government spending.

Broader Political Impact of a Shutdown

A Politically Risky Move

As the government shutdown looms, lawmakers from both parties understand the political risks involved. Democrats, as well as many Senate Republicans, argue that a government shutdown would be both impractical and politically damaging, especially with the November election just around the corner.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) echoed this sentiment in a statement, saying, “The one thing you cannot have is a government shutdown. It would be politically beyond stupid for us to do that right before the election because certainly, we’d get the blame.”

McConnell added, “One of my favorite sayings is, ‘There’s no education in the second kick of a mule.’ We’ve been here before. I’m for whatever avoids a government shutdown.”

Johnson’s Struggles to Unite the GOP

Speaker Johnson attempted to force a vote on the bill the previous week but withdrew it after realizing it would likely fail. The struggle to pass the bill highlights the ongoing division within the GOP’s slim majority, with different factions battling over the best approach to government funding.

Johnson, faced with resistance from both sides of his party, tried one last push by bringing the bill up for a vote on Wednesday. He tasked Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) with rallying Republican support for the bill, but these efforts were largely unsuccessful.

Factions Within the GOP

Some Republicans, especially those who played a role in removing former Speaker McCarthy from his leadership position, refuse to vote for any CR that does not significantly cut spending. Typically, CRs maintain existing funding levels without implementing large cuts or increases.

Other Republicans, however, see a failed vote on Johnson’s six-month bill as an opportunity for him to pivot and introduce a shorter, “clean” three-month funding extension that could garner bipartisan support. Johnson’s ability to unite the party and avoid a shutdown could ultimately determine his future as Speaker.

Long-Term Spending vs. Temporary Fixes

The Senate’s Preference

Many House and Senate Democrats, along with a majority of Senate Republicans, favor a three-month CR that adheres to the two-year spending agreement negotiated by former Speaker McCarthy and President Biden in 2023. The agreement set top-line spending numbers, and Democrats have insisted that any new proposal must respect the original terms of this deal.

“We’re going to insist on those top-line numbers being met as part of the agreement that you’ve already made with us,” said Rep. Joseph Morelle (D-N.Y.). “We’re not letting these very, very extreme measures be added in, these riders. We’re not agreeing to that, and we’re not agreeing to anything less or more than we agreed to originally.”

The Path Forward

As the situation develops, the question remains whether Speaker Johnson will introduce a new, more moderate bill that can pass both chambers of Congress. Republicans are faced with the task of balancing their internal divisions with the need to keep the government running.

FAQs on Government Shutdown and the House Vote

1. What is a government shutdown?
   • A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass legislation to fund federal agencies. Without this funding, many non-essential government functions come to a halt, while essential services continue to operate.
2. Why did the House reject Speaker Mike Johnson’s bill?
   • The House rejected the bill primarily because it failed to unite Republicans. Fourteen GOP members joined Democrats in opposing the bill due to concerns over its six-month funding extension and the inclusion of a voter registration provision requiring proof of citizenship.
3. What is a Continuing Resolution (CR)?
   • A Continuing Resolution (CR) is a temporary measure used to keep government agencies funded at current levels when Congress cannot agree on a new budget. It is often used to prevent a government shutdown while negotiations continue.
4. What happens if the government shuts down?
   • In the event of a government shutdown, most non-essential government operations stop, including many federal programs and services. Employees deemed non-essential are furloughed, while essential services like military operations and law enforcement continue.
5. What are the main concerns with Johnson’s proposed bill?
   • Critics opposed Johnson’s bill because it proposed a lengthy six-month funding extension and included provisions requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote, which Democrats and some Republicans opposed. There were also concerns about the national security impact of delayed defense funding.
6. Why are some Republicans opposed to short-term funding extensions like CRs?
   • Many fiscal conservatives oppose short-term funding measures, such as CRs, because they merely extend existing spending levels without making any cuts or reforms. They prefer passing full-year appropriations bills that allow for more targeted spending adjustments.
7. How would a government shutdown affect the upcoming November elections?
   • A government shutdown during the election cycle could disrupt public services and the administration of the election itself. Early voting might be impacted, and voter services could be delayed, creating additional political and logistical challenges.
8. What happens next if Congress cannot pass a funding bill by the deadline?
   • If Congress fails to pass a funding bill by September 30, the federal government will shut down. Lawmakers would then have to negotiate new legislation to reopen the government, potentially adding further delays and political challenges.
9. What is the significance of the voter registration provision in the rejected bill?
   • The voter registration provision would require individuals to show proof of citizenship when registering to vote in national elections. This was controversial because voting by non-citizens is already illegal in federal elections, and critics argued the provision could suppress voter participation.
10. What are the political risks of a government shutdown?

• A government shutdown can hurt public perception of both parties, but particularly the party in power. With elections approaching, lawmakers are eager to avoid blame for any disruption, as voters often hold Congress responsible for failing to keep the government running.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the rejection of Speaker Johnson’s bill has left Congress scrambling to find a solution to prevent a government shutdown. With internal divisions in the Republican Party and pressure from both the Senate and the White House, the path forward remains unclear. Both sides recognize the political risks of a shutdown as they approach the November elections.