Government Shutdown Today: Johnson’s Strategy Faces GOP Pushback

House Speaker Mike Johnson’s decision to revive a failed short-term funding bill has perplexed lawmakers, raising questions about its viability.

Government Shutdown Looms as Johnson’s Strategy Puzzles Congress

With a looming government shutdown, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is pushing a short-term funding bill that he pulled last week.

The move has left members of both parties puzzled, raising concerns about whether the bill has enough support to pass.

Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), expressed confusion over Johnson’s decision to reintroduce the bill.

“I have no idea,” Jeffries said when asked about Johnson’s strategy. Even some Republicans are questioning the move, worried it may weaken Johnson’s leadership position in the House.

Why It Matters: Johnson’s strategy comes at a critical moment. Reviving a bill that previously failed has sparked concern within his own party. Some Republicans fear the bill will struggle to pass, which could further divide the GOP.

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Key Points in the Funding Bill

The bill includes the SAVE Act, a controversial provision requiring proof of citizenship for voting in federal elections.

This has drawn opposition from right-wing Republicans, including Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.), who remain firmly against it.

Their resistance, combined with skepticism from Democrats, poses a significant challenge for Johnson’s proposal.

Johnson defends his decision, stating, “Congress has an immediate obligation to fund the federal government and ensure the security of our elections.” However, the inclusion of the SAVE Act continues to fuel division.

Zoom In: House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) claims to have flipped some GOP “no” votes, offering a glimmer of hope for Johnson’s plan.

But opposition within the GOP remains strong, with figures like Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) noting that opponents are “dug in” and unlikely to change their positions.

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Government Shutdown Today: Risk of Backlash

Many Republicans worry that pushing a bill unlikely to pass in the Senate may backfire on the party. One anonymous Republican warned that continuing to pursue this path could cause problems later.

The lawmaker suggested that the longer the party fights for a bill destined to fail, the harder it will be to gain support for future funding measures.

“If you’re fighting a losing battle, then you have to go to Plan B,” said Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.), adding that he’s unclear what Johnson’s next step might be if this bill fails again.

The Other Side: House Democrats are also struggling to understand Johnson’s endgame. Some speculate that he might allow the bill to fail, positioning himself for another approach once the current effort is exhausted.

In the meantime, there’s growing support within the Democratic Party for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to initiate a Senate-led funding bill. Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.) said, “If he has a vehicle and the votes, I’d encourage him to move ahead.”

Uncertainty and a Possible Shutdown

The government shutdown is looming closer as the House prepares to vote on the six-month government funding bill.

If this bill fails, lawmakers will likely have to introduce a “clean” funding bill to avoid a shutdown. However, Johnson’s insistence on including the SAVE Act could complicate any further negotiations.

What’s Next? As the vote approaches, the outcome remains unclear. Republicans are divided, and Democrats are growing frustrated.

With both parties questioning Johnson’s strategy, the clock is ticking to avoid a shutdown that could have widespread effects across the country.

With questions surrounding Johnson’s tactics and mounting opposition, the next few days will be crucial in determining whether a government shutdown can be averted.

If Johnson’s bill fails again, lawmakers may be forced to take a different route to secure the necessary funding.