House GOP Faces Divisions Over Spending Bill

Former President Trump has urged House Republicans to reject any government funding measures that do not include assurances of 'election security,' complicating Speaker Mike Johnson's efforts to pass a stopgap spending bill. Johnson's plan, which includes the controversial SAVE Act requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration, faces significant opposition from both conservative and moderate Republicans, with at least six members publicly opposing it. This internal dissent places Johnson's leadership in jeopardy, as he has a slim majority and cannot afford to lose many votes. Meanwhile, Democrats remain united against the proposal, with House leaders pledging to whip their members to oppose it, increasing the likelihood of a government shutdown. Johnson has insisted he has no fallback plan, framing the situation as a necessary fight despite the potential political fallout. Analysts predict that if his plan fails, Republicans may have to consider a clean short-term funding bill to avoid a shutdown.