U.S. House Speaker Halts Controversial Spending Bill Mandating Voter ID Registration

WASHINGTON — U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson has postponed a vote on a proposed six-month stopgap spending bill, which had aimed to showcase Republican unity. The bill included a contentious provision mandating identification for registering to vote in federal elections.

Released last week amidst a critical presidential campaign focusing on immigration, the spending bill faced significant hurdles. It encountered staunch opposition from Democrats and a lukewarm reception from several Senate Republicans, compounded by a veto threat from the Biden administration.

Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, acknowledged lawmakers’ plans to negotiate over the weekend to refine the spending bill and its voter ID requirements. He emphasized the necessity of reaching consensus, particularly with the GOP’s slim majority. “No vote today because we are in the consensus-building business here in Congress,” he stated. “We’re having thoughtful conversations within the Republican Conference and I believe we’ll get there.”

The Speaker identified two critical responsibilities for Congress: funding the government before the new fiscal year starts on October 1 to prevent a shutdown, and addressing the illegal voting concerns related to non-citizens participating in elections.

Johnson expressed a commitment to continue collaboration, urging any member of Congress to clarify why ensuring only U.S. citizens vote should not be a priority. His comments came as Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump urged party members to withhold support for any short-term spending bill lacking the voter ID requirement.

In response to the situation, Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the leading Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, called for bipartisan negotiations, signaling a desire for collaborative solutions moving forward.