Wed Sep 18 04:06:58 UTC 2024: ## House Rejects GOP Proposal to Link Voter ID Mandate to Government Funding

**WASHINGTON (AP)** – The House of Representatives on Wednesday rejected a proposal by Speaker Mike Johnson that would have tied temporary government funding to a requirement for states to demand proof of citizenship from voter registrants. The measure, known as the SAVE Act, was defeated in a 220-202 vote, with 14 Republicans joining all but three Democrats in opposition.

Johnson, who expressed disappointment, will now seek an alternative plan to avoid a partial government shutdown on October 1st when the current fiscal year ends. The vote comes as Congress grapples with the task of passing the dozen annual appropriations bills that fund federal agencies.

The SAVE Act, championed by Republicans who cite concerns about non-citizen voting, was previously pulled from consideration due to lack of support. While Johnson rallied Republican support over the weekend, he faced opposition from some within his own party who objected to the spending levels or preferred a focus on passing the annual appropriations bills individually.

Democrats vehemently opposed the measure, arguing that it would disenfranchise millions of eligible voters who may not have a readily available birth certificate or passport. They also pointed to the lack of evidence for widespread non-citizen voting, deeming the proposal a “Republican theatrics” aimed at appeasing the party’s most extreme members.

The vote’s outcome leaves the future of government funding uncertain. While a temporary funding measure, known as a continuing resolution, is expected to be approved to prevent a shutdown, disagreements over the length of the extension persist. Democrats favor a shorter extension to allow for a final budget deal after the election, while some Republicans push for a six-month extension to leverage potential political gains after the election.

Despite the failed vote, Republican lawmakers assured that a government shutdown would be avoided, with plans for alternative stopgap measures. However, Democratic leadership accused Republicans of intentionally trying to shut down the government as a means to extract concessions.

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