House Speaker Mike Johnson announced a proposal to maintain government funding until Dec. 20.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has put forward a temporary measure to keep the government funded until December 20. This proposal aims to avoid a government shutdown and is expected to garner bipartisan support.
Notably, the proposal does not include provisions from the SAVE Act, the election security initiative promoted by former President Donald Trump. Johnson emphasized that the plan will encompass “only the extensions that are absolutely necessary” to avert a shutdown, as outlined in a letter to his colleagues in the House.
“While this is not the solution any of us prefer, it is the most prudent path forward under the present circumstances,” Johnson stated. He pointed out the implications of shutting down the government less than 40 days away from a crucial election, calling it a “political malpractice.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell echoed this sentiment, labeling a shutdown during the presidential race as “politically beyond stupid.”
With funding set to expire on September 30, Congress has limited time to act. Last week, a short-term spending bill was voted down by the House, where Republicans insisted on incorporating a measure addressing undocumented voters, despite it already being illegal.
The new funding proposal is anticipated to pass the House with bipartisan support and includes measures to accelerate existing funding of $232 million to the Secret Service, responding to increased threats faced by their protectees.
