House Republicans Reject Trump’s Shutdown Call Amid Funding Talks

House Republicans are largely dismissing former President Trump’s insistence on a government shutdown unless a proof-of-citizenship voting bill is enacted. This divergence from Trump’s strategy comes as GOP leaders prepare to introduce a “clean” three-month stopgap funding bill, despite his push for a more conservative approach.

Earlier this week, a proposal that combined a six-month continuing resolution with Trump’s desired voting legislation was voted down, undermining Speaker Mike Johnson’s funding strategy. While Republicans largely support the voting bill, many are concerned that tying it to a government shutdown could backfire politically.

Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Ala.) emphasized that a shutdown could undermine national security and harm the party’s standing in upcoming elections. He noted, “A government shutdown would embolden our enemies and further undermine our reliability among allies.”

Trump has been vocal about pairing government funding with his election security demands, recently intensifying his rhetoric by urging Republicans to force a shutdown if their demands are not met. Despite his calls, GOP lawmakers view the failed combined bill as a missed opportunity rather than a viable strategy to prevent a shutdown.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and other Republican representatives have expressed that a shutdown would politically harm the GOP, stating that blame would likely fall on them. They advocate for maintaining government operations to focus on the November elections.

Johnson is navigating the complex dynamics between party leadership and Trump’s expectations, having met with the former president multiple times to discuss the ongoing funding negotiations. While he acknowledges Trump’s commitment to election security, Johnson also aims to assure that the government remains operational.

Some members of the GOP remain open to the idea of a shutdown as a bargaining chip, advocating for leveraging it to enforce budget cuts and stricter voting regulations. However, many within the party, particularly those experienced in funding negotiations, argue against this approach, citing potential negative impacts on national security and the economy.

As discussions continue, Johnson has assured that he is working toward avoiding a shutdown, reiterating that he believes a resolution can be achieved.