Republicans Seek Messaging Win On CR+SAVE Act Legislation

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has embraced a plan backed by hardline conservatives, and former President Donald Trump, to include the SAVE Act in his short-term funding bill to extend FY24 funding beyond the September 30 deadline. Johnson’s CR is expected to extend funding for six months, beyond the inauguration of the next president.

• The SAVE Act, which requires proof of citizenship when registering to vote, is DOA in the Senate and has been criticised by Democrats for creating a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist as non-citizens are already barred from voting in federal elections.
• The prospect of a government shutdown remains remote, but the additional Congressional time required to redraft an inevitable new Continuing Resolution will push negotiations closer to the September 30 deadline than comfortable for many frontline Republicans.
• It is also unclear if Johnson can get the bill out of the House. Although several Democrats voted in favour of the SAVE Act when it passed the lower chamber in July, a vote on a CR is a more challenging prospect. The conservative faction that ostensibly supports the measure includes a sizable bloc who consistently vote against all CRs.
• The most likely outcome is a period of politicking during which House Republicans will seek to keep issues related to immigration live ahead of Election Day and argue that Democrats are opposed to voter integrity. After which, Congressional leaders will likely coalesce around a ‘clean’ CR to punt funding until December.