Staff Reports
House Speaker Mike Johnson is stepping up to the plate with a proposal intended to avoid a government shutdown, a scenario that has caused more anxiety for the nation than a cat at a dog show. However, not everyone in the GOP is thrilled about just keeping the lights on. Enter Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy, who believes that perhaps letting the government take a breather might just be what’s needed to shine a light on a bigger issue: secure elections and voter integrity.
Roy bluntly asserted that average voters, if asked about government funding, would likely respond with indifference akin to their feelings about kale. In a recent interview, he expressed that what constituents really care about is not the trivialities of funding, but rather the fundamental principles of democracy—like honest elections and fortified borders. The pressing issue, according to him, is that the Democrats seem hell-bent on framing this entire budget operation around a potential shutdown, when, in reality, it should revolve around ensuring fair elections.
Chip Roy says voters 'don't give 2 flying s—s' about government shutdown fight https://t.co/otaBrZ0D26
— Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) September 3, 2024
The crux of the matter lies in the proposed Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which requires voters to provide proof of citizenship before they can register. This bill is pivotal, at least in Roy’s eyes, and he wants to link it with a continuing resolution to keep the government functioning. While that sounds like a reasonable compromise, there’s a catch: Senate Democrats and the White House have made it abundantly clear that they will not play ball with the SAVE Act. It seems like the Democrats are more interested in keeping the government running smoothly than in securing elections. Shocking.
In the background looms the shadow of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who faced similar roadblocks during his tenure. McCarthy’s expedition through the budgetary thickets was riddled with challenges, and Johnson is discovering that he is not without his own dissidents within the ranks. One notable dissenting voice is Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett, who, like Roy, believes the integrity of elections is paramount and that the mainstream media only makes shutdowns look worse than they really are.
So, where does that leave Johnson? Despite his elaborate spending plan, it appears he may not have as solid a grip on his coalition as was once thought. The looming deadline to avoid a part-time government—and waddling around Washington like lost tourists—is fast approaching. It may just be time for the GOP to put its cards on the table, with election integrity at the forefront.
