The White House announced Monday that President Biden would reject the Republican stopgap budget proposal, accusing House Republican leaders of choosing “brinksmanship” rather than finding a bipartisan solution to avert a government shutdown.
in Statement of administrative policyThe White House said a proposal put forward by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, to fund the government for six months would leave government agencies inadequately funded and could cause “severe disruptions to some essential government services.”
The White House also said the proposal was “particularly irresponsible on national security issues because a six-month CR would undermine our military advantage vis-à-vis the People's Republic of China, reduce our readiness, and fail to provide the support our military deserves.”
“The Administration urges House Republicans to engage in a bipartisan process.
The government will release and provide emergency disaster funds,
“Americans are working to rebuild,” the White House said.
Johnson recently unveiled a government funding bill that combines a six-month continuing resolution with the Protecting American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a bill backed by former President Trump that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote.
The White House has called the voting proposals “irrelevant and cynical legislation,” while Democrats more broadly argue the legislation is unnecessary because it is already illegal for foreign nationals to vote in federal elections.
The length of the stopgap measures means the fight over the next round of funding will be postponed until March, but Republicans are hopeful that with President Trump back in the White House, he will be able to exert influence in the negotiations.
If all Democrats voted against the continuing resolution, Republicans would lose just four senators. At least two Republicans, Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Matt Rosendale of Montana, have already opposed the bill, and other Republicans have expressed skepticism about his strategy.
