Speaker Johnson Says He'll Try to Pass Stopgap Spending Bill Despite Opposition

Democrats have opposed the stopgap spending plan which includes a provision to require proof of citizenship to vote, saying existing laws already prevent this.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) returns to his office at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Sept. 12, 2024. Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

WASHINGTON—House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) announced on Sept. 17 that his conference would stick with a temporary government funding proposal that includes an election security bill, which Democrats oppose, prolonging a Congressional impasse that could result in a government shutdown.

House Republicans have demanded that a continuing resolution (CR) to temporarily fund the government after the current fiscal year ends on Sept. 30 must include a bill known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which seeks to strengthen prohibitions on foreign nationals from voting in federal elections.