Government shutdown deadline grows closer
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Congress has until Sept. 30 to pass a funding bill to avoid a government shutdown.
On Wednesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) brought up a vote to pair a continuing resolution, a government funding bill, with a bill that requires people to prove they’re citizens to vote, the SAVE Act. Most House Democrats opposed that move.
“The approach that they’ve taken thus far, the Republicans, unfortunately, it’s been a nonsensical one,” said Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.).
The vote failed. 14 Republicans opposed the bill. Three Democrats voted in favor, not enough for Speaker Mike Johnson and his 9-vote majority.
“I’m very disappointed that it didn’t pass,” Johnson said. “We have time to fix the situation and we’ll get right to it.”
Johnson initially planned to bring the combination funding bill and SAVE Act up for a vote last week. He pulled it. Former president Donald Trump called for Congress to shut down the government “if Republicans don’t get the SAVE Act.”
“House Republican leadership has wasted two weeks, two weeks, listening to Donald Trump’s ridiculous claims on the campaign trail,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).
Less than two weeks from a government shutdown and less than 50 days from the election, leaders from both parties say a shutdown isn’t smart.
“Failure isn’t an option,” Neguse said.
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