Why Hakeem Jeffries Reject GOP’s Funding
Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries called a proposal from Speaker Mike Johnson “unserious and unacceptable” on Monday. The plan would tie government funding for the next six months to a new requirement that voters provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote.
This rejection sets the stage for a tough spending battle in the coming weeks. Lawmakers are working to pass a short-term spending bill to avoid a partial government shutdown when the new fiscal year starts on October 1. They want to keep the government running as voters prepare for upcoming elections.
Mike Johnson’s Plan to Delay Full-Year Spending Decisions
Speaker Mike Johnson, backed by Republicans, is pushing to delay decisions on the full-year spending plan until next year, after a new president and Congress take office. Some Republicans believe they’ll have more power next year to push their funding and policy goals.
However, Hakeem Jeffries disagrees, saying Congress should finish the appropriations process before the year ends. He also insists that the short-term spending bill should not include “partisan policy changes.”
“There is no other viable path forward that protects the health, safety, and economic well-being of hardworking American taxpayers,” Hakeem Jeffries wrote in a letter to House Democrats on Monday.
Time Running Out to Pass a Spending Bill
After a summer break spent mostly in their home states, lawmakers are back in Washington this week. They are behind on the annual appropriations bills needed to fund government agencies in the next fiscal year. To avoid a shutdown, they must pass a stopgap bill.
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However, the House bill, which includes a requirement for proof of citizenship when registering to vote, makes passing the bill more complicated. This measure is popular among House Republicans, especially the conservative House Freedom Caucus.
Supporters and Critics of the Voter ID Requirement
Republicans argue that requiring proof of citizenship will ensure only American citizens vote in U.S. elections, boosting confidence in the federal election system. Former President Donald Trump has also pushed for stricter voting rules over the years.
When introducing the proposal last Friday, Speaker Mike Johnson said it was essential to both fund the government and protect the election system. “We must ensure that only American citizens can decide American elections,” Johnson said.
Opponents, however, argue that noncitizens are already barred from voting in federal elections. They warn that adding more documentation requirements will make it harder for millions of eligible voters to register, especially those who don’t have the necessary papers readily available.
Critics also point out that the issue of noncitizens voting is rare. Despite claims from Trump and other Republicans, there is little evidence to suggest widespread voting by noncitizens in federal elections.
Pushback from Democrats and Military Concerns
Senate Democrats and the Biden administration have both rejected Mike Johnson’s proposal. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also raised concerns about the impact of a long-term stopgap spending bill on military readiness.
In a letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, Austin warned that if the bill passes, it would be the second year in a row and the seventh time in 15 years that the military has faced delays in funding its priorities. He noted that these delays “subject Service members and their families to unnecessary stress, empower our adversaries, misalign billions of dollars, damage our readiness, and impede our ability to react to emergent events.”
As the debate continues, both parties face the challenge of finding common ground to keep the government funded and avoid a shutdown.
Source Article : https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/hill-politics/jeffries-slams-house-gops-government-funding-plan-unserious-and-unacceptable/
