Last week, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Republican leadership faced resistance from various factions within the GOP over their proposed government funding bill. The bill, which linked a six-month stopgap funding plan (continuing resolution, or CR) to the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, was intended to delay a government shutdown but failed to gain sufficient support within the party.
Several key factions emerged in opposition:
- Hard-liners: These conservatives supported the stopgap funding plan as a way to avoid an omnibus funding package at the end of the year and to give the next president more influence in shaping the federal budget for 2025. However, the vote was scrapped, and hard-liners are working to build support.
- Defense hawks: Concerned about the military, defense hawks opposed the plan because freezing funding at current levels for six months would harm military readiness. They emphasized the need for a timely resolution to prevent further damage to defense operations.
- Fiscal hawks: These Republicans rejected the idea of a stopgap bill altogether, citing concerns over the national debt, which has exceeded $35 trillion. They argued that reckless spending and rising interest costs must be addressed urgently.
- Moderates: Worried about a potential government shutdown close to Election Day, moderate Republicans opposed the strategy, recognizing the bill’s low chances of passing in the Democratic-controlled Senate. They also questioned what alternatives might be considered if the initial plan failed.
Amid these divisions, GOP leadership faces pressure from various quarters, including former President Trump, who supports attaching the SAVE Act to the funding bill, as well as members pushing for a clean stopgap bill that extends the deadline to December.
The situation highlights the challenges Johnson and GOP leaders face in navigating the diverse views within their party as they attempt to avoid a government shutdown and find a workable solution to the budget standoff.
