A push for stricter proof-of-citizenship requirements in voting is creating tension in Congress as lawmakers work to prevent a government shutdown.

According to The Hill, the House Freedom Caucus is urging Speaker Mike Johnson to attach the SAVE Act to the spending legislation, setting the stage for a potential clash with the Democratic-led Senate.

The conservative-backed Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act has become a focal point in discussions about the upcoming continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government past September 30.

The SAVE Act, introduced by Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), aims to ensure that only citizens can vote in federal elections. It would require states to obtain proof of citizenship for voter registration and mandate the purging of noncitizens from voter rolls.

While the bill passed the House earlier this summer with some bipartisan support, it faces strong opposition from most Democrats and the Biden administration.

Speaker Johnson Considers Attaching SAVE Act To CR

Speaker Mike Johnson has not dismissed the idea of including the SAVE Act in the upcoming continuing resolution. During a recent press call, he acknowledged that the SAVE Act is a significant part of ongoing discussions within the Republican conference.

Johnson stated, "I can verify for you that the SAVE Act is a big part of this conversation. And it is not just the Freedom Caucus — it is members across the conference who share the same concern that we do about this. And we believe it's one of the — perhaps the most urgent issue, the most imminent threat facing the country, is the integrity of this election cycle."

The Speaker's consideration of this move reflects the growing pressure from conservative members and former President Donald Trump, who has been vocal about prioritizing election integrity.

Conservative Push For Longer-Term Funding Strategy

Proponents of attaching the SAVE Act to the CR see it as leverage for a broader strategy. Some conservatives are advocating for extending current government funding into 2025, with the goal of avoiding a comprehensive omnibus funding package at the end of the year.

Rep. Chip Roy, the bill's sponsor, expressed his view on the matter:

We're talking about a simple concept that only citizens should vote, in a world in which they've opened up our country to noncitizens. We can always figure out an off-ramp. Is that a one-year CR? A CR into March? But it sure as hell shouldn't be a CR into December.

This approach aligns with the desire of some Republicans to provide more leverage to a potential Republican president, should former President Trump win the 2024 election.

Opposition And Skepticism Within Republican Ranks

Despite the push from conservative members, there is skepticism about the strategy within the Republican Party. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's office has reportedly been privately pushing against attaching the SAVE Act to the stopgap measure.

Some House Republicans, like Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.), oppose adding conservative policy riders to a CR that would likely fail in the Senate. Bucshon stated, "Obviously, I support House Republican policy. But I think, at this point, attaching it to the CR is not the right thing to do. … I'm not supportive of that. Of course, I would vote for it if they did."

Additionally, Republicans in both chambers have expressed doubts about extending government funding into next year. Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.) emphasized the importance of resolving funding issues this year, regardless of the election outcome.

Challenges In Passing Annual Funding Bills

The debate over the SAVE Act and the continuing resolution comes amid broader challenges in passing annual funding bills. House GOP leadership had previously aimed to vote on all 12 of the party's annual funding proposals for fiscal 2025 before the August recess.

However, the lower chamber left for recess early after failing to clear half of the funding bills due to intraparty disagreements over spending and policy. This setback has further complicated the funding process and increased the likelihood of a continuing resolution being needed.

As the September 30 deadline approaches, the inclusion of the SAVE Act in the CR remains uncertain. Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) speculated on the outcome, saying, "I think he actually might do it. The question really would be, does it get out of the House? And I don't know."

Conclusion

The potential inclusion of the SAVE Act in the upcoming continuing resolution has become a contentious issue in Congress. Speaker Mike Johnson is weighing the pressure from conservatives and former President Trump against opposition from moderate Republicans and Senate skepticism. The debate reflects broader tensions over government funding strategies and election integrity measures. As the September 30 deadline nears, lawmakers face the challenge of averting a government shutdown while navigating complex political dynamics within and between parties.