WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Republican U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson on Sunday proposed a three-month stopgap funding bill that excludes an immigration-related measure demanded by Donald Trump, as lawmakers look to avert a month-end partial government shutdown. #USStopgapBill
Johnson outlined the plan in a letter to colleagues just eight days before the current funding expires on September 30. The government’s discretionary funding totals $1.2 trillion. According to a knowledgeable source, the chamber will vote on the measure this Wednesday.
Failure to act by then would furlough thousands of federal workers and shut down a wide swath of government operations weeks before the Nov. 5 election.
The proposal, which excludes a Trump demand to impose new requirements that people provide proof of citizenship to register to vote, is aligned with what Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had urged, a basic extension of government funding to December. It runs through Dec. 20.
“As history has taught and current polling affirms, shutting the government down less than 40 days from a fateful election would be an act of political malpractice,” Johnson said in the letter.
Democrats, including Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, expressed optimism a bipartisan deal could be reached.
Jeffries welcomed the proposal unveiled on Sunday. He said in a statement that House Democrats would evaluate it after a previous proposal which Republicans had “inappropriately attempted to jam” with partisan policy.
“Congress is now on a bipartisan path to avoid a government shutdown that would hurt everyday Americans,” Jeffries said.
The House, which Republicans control by a narrow 220-211 margin, on Wednesday rejected Johnson’s prior proposal for a six-month funding extension including the voter-registration measure, which Democrats and democracy advocates call unnecessary as it is already illegal for non-citizens to vote in federal elections. #USStopgapBill
Ensuring Stability: How the US Stopgap Bill Aims to Support Services and Navigate Budget Challenges
Moreover, the US Stopgap Bill includes provisions to support essential services while delaying difficult budget discussions. Lawmakers believe this approach will help stabilize government operations and ensure uninterrupted services for citizens. Additionally, the bill seeks to maintain funding for critical programs, which has garnered support from various stakeholders.
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