Speaker Johnson pushes ahead on funding bill with proof of citizenship mandate despite dim prospects

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Mike Johnson vowed Tuesday to press ahead with requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration as part of a bill to avoid a partial government shutdown when the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1, though the measure appeared likely to be voted down.

Democrats overwhelmingly oppose the measure. Enough Republicans were also coming out against the bill, though for different reasons, that its prospects of passing the House appeared dim. Even if it does pass the House on Wednesday, the bill would go nowhere in the Senate.

Johnson said the issue of election security is too critical to ignore, though research has shown that voting by non-citizens is extremely rare. It’s also clear that Republicans see value in making House Democrats take another vote on the issue. The House approved a bill with the proof of citizenship mandate back in July

“If you have a few thousand illegals participate in the election in the wrong place, you can change the makeup of Congress and you can affect the presidential election,” Johnson said. “The American people understand that.”

The first test for the stopgap spending bill will take place with a procedural vote on Tuesday. If it clears that hurdle, a final House vote would occur Wednesday.

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