House Speaker Johnson Pushes Controversial Funding Bill

House Speaker Mike Johnson is pushing forward with a six-month continuing resolution (CR) aimed at preventing a government shutdown while also incorporating the controversial Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which mandates proof of citizenship for voter registration. Despite this plan garnering significant opposition from both Democrats and several Republicans, Johnson remains resolute, arguing that election security is paramount. A vote on the measure is scheduled, but many GOP lawmakers express skepticism over its viability given the likelihood of it failing in the Democrat-controlled Senate. Critics within the party view the bill as a messaging tactic rather than a viable solution, with some warning that its failure could lead to a government shutdown. The situation has created a precarious environment for Johnson, who is also facing pressure from Donald Trump to link funding to stricter voting laws. As the vote approaches, the internal divisions within the GOP could lead to an embarrassing defeat for Johnson ahead of the upcoming elections.