WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Within hours of their return to Washington, D.C., Democrats and Republicans are facing off over how to keep the government open.
House Speaker Mike Johnson is teeing up a vote on a six-month spending plan this week.
The bill, however, is doomed in the Democrat-controlled Senate.
Democrats are vowing to kill the bill because it includes the SAVE Act or what Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) calls a “poison pill.” The SAVE Act would outlaw undocumented immigrants from voting in U.S. elections. Under federal law, it is already illegal for undocumented immigrants to vote.
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) says Speaker Johnson is likely caving to political pressure from former President Donald Trump who wants to put illegal immigration at the forefront ahead of the November election.
“I hate to come back to this situation but here we are,” Cleaver said.
Republicans including Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) argue the SAVE Act is necessary to restore Americans’ faith in the U.S. election system. He also admits the GOP plan is doomed.
“I’ve been doing this for ten terms, and I’ve seen this movie before,” McCaul said.
The White House already vowed to veto the plan. On Monday, Schumer called on Republicans and Democrats to find a compromise, one that abides by spending levels previously agreed to by both parties.
Both parties will have to also agree on how long to keep the government funded.
Republicans are pushing for a short six-month spending plan, that allows the next president to weigh in on the next budget. Democrats are pushing for a short-term deal that will force the current Congress and president to renegotiate spending levels after the November election.
Current funding expires Sept. 30.
