Speaker Johnson pulls vote on government funding bill after Republicans threaten to sink it

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson pulled a vote on his temporary spending bill on Wednesday just hours before it was scheduled to head to the floor, citing a lack of agreement by House Republicans.

“We’re having thoughtful conversations, family conversations within the Republican conference and I believe we’ll get there,” Johnson told reporters.

The temporary bill would have funded federal agencies and programs for six months upon the new fiscal year beginning on October 1. Congress must pass a stopgap spending bill before that day in order to avoid a partial government shutdown – which would occur right before the presidential election.

But the legislative package also includesa controversial measure that would require voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote, known as the SAVE Act.

At least six House Republicans voiced opposition to it which, in combination with Democratic disapproval, is enough to sink it.

Even with Republican support, the funding bill was unlikely to pass in the Democratic-controlled Senate and the Biden administration said the president would veto the measure.

Johnson told reporters that Majority Whip Tom Emmer was “going to do the hard work and build consensus”

“We’re going to work through the weekend on that,” Johnson said.

Wednesday’s decision indicates that there is still internal conflict within the House Republican Party.

Last year, the House GOP was thrown into chaos when rifts began to form among factions and a group of far-right Republicans, led by Representative Matt Gaetz, ousted former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy.

Since then, House GOP leadership has been working to present a united front to Americans in a tumultuous election year.

But despite Johnson’s