WASHINGTON — House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has firmly dismissed Speaker Mike Johnson’s proposal to link continued government funding for six months with a requirement for proof of citizenship during voter registration. Jeffries labeled the idea as “unserious and unacceptable.”
This dispute underscores an impending spending battle as lawmakers aim to finalize a short-term spending bill to avert a partial government shutdown when the new fiscal year commences on October 1. The urgency to reach an agreement has intensified with the upcoming elections looming on the horizon.
Johnson has opted to defer decisions on full-year spending until next year, aligning with members of his party who believe a more favorable political environment will emerge for Republicans to address funding and policy priorities.
Jeffries, however, has urged for the appropriations process to be concluded by the end of the current calendar year, emphasizing that any short-term measure must exclude “partisan policy changes.”
Jeffries also articulated, “There is no other viable path forward that protects the health, safety, and economic well-being of hardworking American taxpayers,” in a letter shared with fellow Democrats.
As lawmakers reconvene in Washington following the summer recess, they face significant challenges in completing the necessary appropriations bills to fund government agencies for the upcoming fiscal year. A stopgap measure will therefore be essential.
The House’s proposal, which includes the citizenship requirement for voter registration, complicates the legislative effort. This measure has garnered significant support among House Republicans, with the conservative House Freedom Caucus advocating for its attachment to the spending bill.
Proponents argue that requiring proof of citizenship would safeguard U.S. elections for American citizens only, thereby enhancing the integrity of the electoral process. Former President Donald Trump has consistently vocalized concerns regarding electoral integrity.
Critics counter that the existing law prohibits noncitizens from voting and that the proposed document requirements could disenfranchise millions of eligible Americans who may lack the necessary paperwork for registration.
Amid rising tensions over migrant inflows at the U.S.-Mexico border, Trump and fellow Republicans have intensified their claims about noncitizen voting. However, evidence suggests that instances of noncitizen voting in federal elections are exceptionally rare.
Johnson characterized the proof of citizenship mandate as a “righteous fight,” cautioning that even a small number of individuals who entered the U.S. illegally could influence electoral outcomes. “This is serious business,” he stated upon arriving at the Capitol.
Senate Democrats have also expressed opposition to Johnson’s proposal, as have officials from the Biden administration. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has warned that lengthy continuing resolutions, such as the one currently up for a vote in the House, could jeopardize military readiness.
Austin communicated in a letter to congressional leaders that the passage of such a bill would mark the second consecutive year, and the seventh instance in the past 15 years, that the Department of Defense would be delayed in executing crucial priorities.
He stated, “These actions subject Service members and their families to unnecessary stress, empower our adversaries, misalign billions of dollars, damage our readiness, and impede our ability to react to emergent events.”
