House Rejects GOP Spending Bill, Shutdown Looms

The House of Representatives has rejected a Republican spending bill that would have also required proof of citizenship to vote, increasing the likelihood of a government shutdown on October 1st.

Washington, D.C. - The House of Representatives has rejected a Republican spending bill that would have also required proof of citizenship to vote, increasing the likelihood of a government shutdown on October 1st.

The bipartisan plan announced by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) earlier on Sunday sought to maintain government funding until December 20. However, the House voted against the bill, which also included a provision requiring proof of citizenship to vote.

House Rejects GOP Spending Bill, Shutdown Looms

The rejection of the bill stems from divisions within the Republican party. Conservative members of the House Freedom Caucus opposed the bipartisan plan, arguing that it did not go far enough in cutting government spending. The caucus also objected to the exclusion of the SAFE Act, a Republican-backed bill that would require proof of citizenship in the voter registration process.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) criticized his Republican counterparts for "wasting precious time" by unveiling a plan that was unlikely to pass. Schumer accused Johnson of "follow[ing] the MAGA way" by prioritizing the wishes of ultra-conservative Republicans over the needs of the country.

House Rejects GOP Spending Bill, Shutdown Looms

The failure of the House to pass a spending bill increases the likelihood of a government shutdown on October 1st. If no agreement is reached before the end of the current fiscal year on September 30th, non-essential government services will be suspended until a budget is passed.

The potential shutdown would affect a wide range of government operations, including national parks, transportation agencies, and social services. Hundreds of thousands of federal employees could be furloughed or forced to work without pay.

House Rejects GOP Spending Bill, Shutdown Looms

The bipartisan deal that Schumer and Johnson negotiated excludes any agreement to pass the SAVE Act. The bill, which has been supported by President Donald Trump, would require voters to provide proof of citizenship when they register to vote.

Democrats have opposed the SAVE Act, arguing that it would disenfranchise voters, particularly minorities and low-income individuals who may have difficulty obtaining the necessary documentation.

House Rejects GOP Spending Bill, Shutdown Looms

The rejection of the GOP spending bill has heightened tensions between Democrats and Republicans. Schumer accused Republicans of putting their own political interests ahead of the well-being of the country.

"Over the past 4 days, bipartisan, bicameral negotiations have been underway to reach an agreement that maintains current funding through December 20 and avoids a government shutdown a month before the election," Schumer said in a statement. "While I am pleased bipartisan negotiations quickly led to a government funding agreement free of cuts and poison pills, this same agreement could have been done two weeks ago."

The House is expected to vote on the bipartisan spending bill as early as Wednesday. However, the bill faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where Republicans hold a slim majority.

If the Senate also rejects the bill, a government shutdown will almost certainly occur.