WASHINGTON — House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested former President Donald Trump might soften his demand for a federal government shutdown if a short-term spending bill doesn’t include a measure requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote.
Rep. Johnson, R-Louisiana, met with President Trump on Thursday to explore a path to fund the government by the end of the month. The House of Representatives rejected Johnson’s plan. It would extend the funding through March 28. It also included a voting measure that was unacceptable to Democrats.
Johnson told reporters on Friday that he would not provide details of his meeting with Trump but “I understand the situation we’re in,” adding that he and Trump are “firmly committed to making election security our number one priority.”
“We’re going to use every opportunity, every tool that comes out of this chamber, every platform that we have to get that message across loud and clear. This is President Trump’s No. 1 priority, this is my No. 1 priority, and I hope you’ll stay tuned,” Johnson said.
The speaker also said he wants the House to take the lead on a short-term spending bill and will release details of the plan “once final decisions are made.”
But Senate Democrats aren’t taking any chances. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday he plans to file a blockade motion, a legislative measure that would allow the Senate to block a shutdown if “Speaker Johnson won’t work with us in a bipartisan, bicameral way.”
“Now that their efforts have failed, House Republicans don’t appear to have a plan to actually keep the government running,” said Schumer, a Democrat from New York. “So the Senate will step in.”
Johnson’s strategy is aimed at winning over conservatives in his party who often oppose continuing resolutions to keep the government funded. The voting measure was pitched as a sweet bait to win their support among the Republican Party’s slim majority. But it’s not enough to rally support within his party, leaving Johnson with few options, and none that will earn him party support.
Johnson will likely need Democrat support to move forward with short-term measures.
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