Donald Trump Draws Red Lines for Republicans on Government Shutdown

Former President Donald Trump is drawing a hard line for congressional Republicans, urging them to shut down the government if the continuing resolution to keep it open doesn’t include the controversial SAVE Act, a measure requiring proof of citizenship for voting.
“If Republicans don’t get the SAVE Act, and every ounce of it, they should not agree to a Continuing Resolution in any way, shape, or form,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Wednesday.
Trump has ramped up his demands as House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, scramble to avert a government shutdown before the September 30 deadline.
Johnson’s plan, a six-month stopgap funding measure combined with the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, is scheduled for a vote Wednesday. The legislation has drawn sharp criticism from within Johnson’s own party, making its passage uncertain.
The speaker defended the bill during a Fox News appearance Wednesday morning, stating, “Congress has an immediate obligation to do two very important things: keep the government funded and ensure our elections are secure.”
Johnson told reporters he was not ready to discuss an alternative plan.
“Let’s see what happens with the bill, all right. We’re on the field in the middle of the game. The quarterback is calling the play. We’re going to run the play,” Johnson said on Wednesday.
Democrats, and some Republicans, are pushing for a short extension. A temporary fix would allow the current Congress to hammer out a final bill after the election and get it to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature.
But Johnson and some of the more conservative members of his conference are pushing for a six-month extension in the hopes that Trump, the Republican nominee, will win the election and give them more leverage when crafting the full-year bill.
With just weeks before the November elections, the stakes are high, and some Republicans worry that a shutdown could hurt their chances at the polls. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has been clear in his opposition to the shutdown strategy.
“One thing you cannot have is a government shutdown. It would be politically beyond stupid for us to do that right before the election, because certainly we’d get the blame,” McConnell told reporters on Tuesday.
The continuing resolution (CR), which would extend government funding until March 2025, includes the SAVE Act. Johnson argued this is essential to safeguard upcoming elections, citing concerns that “millions and millions of illegals…have come across the border” and might attempt to vote illegally.
However, critics, including many Democrats, note that non-citizens are already prohibited from voting in federal elections, casting doubt on the necessity of the bill. Voting for federal offices in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., is restricted to citizens only.
Even if Johnson secures House approval for the bill, it is expected to fail in the Senate, which could force him to push for a more straightforward CR without the controversial provision. This approach could expose him to criticism from the GOP’s right-wing factions, particularly with elections approaching.
Johnson’s leadership will also be tested when Republicans select a speaker after the November elections. If his handling of the shutdown deepens internal divisions, it could jeopardize his reelection as speaker, should the GOP retain control of the House.
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Update 9/18/24, 5:06 p.m. ET: This story was updated with additional information.