Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday urged Republicans to vote against a short-term government spending package unless they have “absolute assurances” that it will strengthen “election security.”
“Unless House and Senate Republicans can get absolute assurances about the security of our elections, they should not move forward with a continuing budget resolution of any kind.” Trump wrote in Truth Social.
“Democrats are trying to 'stuff' voter registrations with illegal immigrants,” he claimed. “We can't allow that to happen. Stop it!!”
Democrats in both chambers of Congress, and a few Republicans, have balked at House Speaker Mike Johnson's plan to combine a continuing resolution that would fund the government through March 28 with a bill that would require individuals to show proof of citizenship when registering to vote.
To avoid a government shutdown, Congress must pass a stopgap spending bill by September 30th.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York, on Sunday dismissed the Louisiana Republican's proposal as “big talk” and argued that “the only way to get things done is in a bipartisan manner.”
If the House passes a continuing resolution related to Johnson's Protecting American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, it is unlikely to pass the Democratic-controlled Senate, even if Schumer allows it to go to a vote.
However, the Speaker is also struggling with backlash from the right.
“I will be absolutely voting against the Continuing Appropriations and Miscellaneous Matters Act,” Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) wrote to X this week, arguing that the proposal doesn't go far enough to cut federal spending.
Rep. Corey Mills (R-FL) also opposed the Save the Bills legislation, citing its ballooning national debt and pointing out that the voting legislation “will not be enacted in time to make a difference in our elections.”
“The only thing guaranteed by this CR with Pelosi and COVID emergency spending levels is a growing national debt, economic collapse, and middle class bankruptcy,” he wrote on X. “I am against bankrupting the nation, but I am for election integrity.”
Reps. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.), Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) and Jim Banks (R-Ind.) have also indicated they will vote against Johnson's CR Plus SAVE Act.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell He told reporters On Tuesday, he said he would wait to see what bill the House of Representatives passes before commenting. He expressed frustration over President Trump's social media posts.
When asked about the former president's comments, McConnell said, “Shutting down the government is always a bad idea, no matter when,” according to The Hill.
“I think we'll have to see what the House of Representatives sends us first,” he added, “and then, of course, what to do with it.” [Schumer].”
“The first step should be to see what comes out of the House, but I don't think we know that at this point.”
