Speaker Mike Johnson’s decision to pull a conservative short-term government funding bill from the House floor on Wednesday has underscored the deepening rift within the GOP. The announcement came just hours before the vote was scheduled, highlighting the growing discord between Johnson and moderate Republicans.
Meanwhile, MAGA Republicans are eager to orchestrate a government shutdown, believing it will serve as a strategic advantage for former President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign.
“No vote today,” Johnson told reporters just hours ahead of the scheduled vote. “We are having thoughtful conversations, family conversations within the Republican Conference and I believe we will get there.”
The cancellation of the vote exposes the severe internal conflicts within the House GOP and the immense challenge Johnson faces in managing a slim majority while responding to demands from former President Donald Trump.
The bill, which aimed to fund the government for six months and included a contentious provision on noncitizen voting, faced stiff opposition from at least eight House Republicans, enough to jeopardize its passage. With Democratic opposition and a certain veto from President Biden, the bill was expected to fail both in the House and the Democratic-controlled Senate.
The failure of the GOP’s funding plan would not only be a significant setback but could also force Republicans to scramble for an alternative as the deadline to avoid a government shutdown approaches. Johnson might need to demonstrate that the bill lacks sufficient support to pivot to a “clean” funding measure, potentially gaining Democratic support to avert a shutdown.
Compounding Johnson’s difficulties, Trump has intensified pressure on the speaker by demanding “absolute assurances” on election security before agreeing to any funding extension. While Johnson has tried to align his stance with Trump’s, the former president’s firm demands could lead to even greater criticism from the far-right.
“We’re going to work through the weekend on that,” Johnson said. “It’s the most pressing issue right now, and we’re going to get this job done.”
The proposed six-month funding plan, which had cleared an initial procedural vote on Tuesday, would extend government funding until March 2025 and includes the SAVE Act. This GOP-led bill, passed by the House in July, mandates documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections—a measure already prohibited for noncitizens.
Trump’s recent comments on Truth Social, urging Republicans to secure guarantees on election security before proceeding with any budget resolution, have further complicated the situation.
Despite Johnson’s efforts to salvage the short-term spending plan amidst growing backlash, he has not ruled out the possibility of passing a “clean” funding bill. His insistence on moving forward with the legislation comes as members of the right wing of his conference predict that the SAVE Act might be abandoned once the Senate rejects the measure, even if the House approves it.
Johnson has yet to present an alternative plan and many conservatives oppose short-term funding bills, advocating instead for spending cuts. Despite significant opposition, Johnson remained determined, stating earlier, “I’m focused on winning this and won’t engage in speculation about outcomes.”
In a recent meeting, Johnson noted “thoughtful discussion” among his colleagues, yet the divisions within the GOP continue to challenge his leadership as the deadline for government funding approaches.
