House votes Wednesday on partisan plan to prevent shutdown

On Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that the House would vote on a partisan stopgap measure to fund the government, despite facing opposition from Democrats and some Republicans. The proposed legislation includes a six-month continuing resolution and a controversial voting bill aimed at preventing noncitizen voting, which Democrats oppose. Johnson emphasized the need for Congress to fulfill its responsibility to fund the government and secure elections, stating that the measure would be voted on Wednesday. Last week, GOP leaders postponed the vote due to internal party disagreements that threatened the bill's success. Johnson acknowledged the need for consensus-building within the party, indicating that leadership was working to gather support for the measure. The urgency of the situation is heightened by the approaching deadline at the end of the month, which necessitates a short-term funding solution to avert a government shutdown. The SAVE Act, which is part of the proposed legislation, aims to require proof of citizenship for voter registration in federal elections. This bill has previously passed the House, despite the fact that current law already restricts voting to U.S. citizens. Johnson urged his colleagues to act in accordance with public sentiment against noncitizen voting, framing the legislation as a necessary step to uphold election integrity. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Johnson's plan, arguing that it would lead to a dead end and emphasizing the need for bipartisan cooperation to prevent a government shutdown. Schumer's comments reflect the broader concern that partisan measures could hinder progress in reaching a compromise necessary for funding the government effectively.