Staff Reports
Mitch McConnell found himself in an odd tug-of-war with former President Donald Trump recently, highlighting the growing rift within the Republican Party over strategies to secure election integrity. In a world where the stakes are high and the clock is ticking down to a potential government shutdown, McConnell is advocating for a more cautious approach, arguing against Trump’s temptation to throw a tantrum with a government shutdown. After all, it’s not election season without some intra-party drama.
In a bold move, Trump insisted that if the Continuing Resolution (CR) backed by House Speaker Mike Johnson lacks the assurances needed for the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, then it should be tossed out faster than an overripe tomato at a bad political rally. Unsurprisingly, six House Republicans are already showing signs of defiance, laying down their own rules of engagement as they prepare for their upcoming votes. Given that Republicans can only spare a few votes without losing the fragile support in the House, the tension is palpable.
McConnell pushes back on Trump's encouragement to shut down the government if CR lacks SAVE Act https://t.co/qWO890T7u6
— Just the News (@JustTheNews) September 10, 2024
McConnell, however, appears to be a bit more pragmatic, suggesting that a government shutdown should be avoided at all costs. He has yet to make a definitive call on backing Johnson’s CR, mentioning that they need to first see the House’s proposal. It’s as if he’s waiting for the House to send him a winning lottery ticket before committing to any bold moves. His words do leave the impression that McConnell believes the art of legislating is best done without the threat of a shutdown looming overhead.
The impending showdown isn’t just about party loyalty; it’s about voter verification as well. The SAVE Act—meant to require proof of citizenship for voting—has been deemed a “nonstarter” by Senate Democrats, making the Republican support all the more urgent. Yet here comes Susan Collins from Maine, offering her own two cents by preferring the CR to extend into December instead of March. Collins seems to be under the impression that a delay in resolving these issues might lead to a smoother path forward—if only she didn’t seem to get that time is of the essence.
With time running out and a mere three weeks left to pass 12 funding bills by October 1, the pressure is mounting. The uncertainty creates an intriguing atmosphere on Capitol Hill—like a game of political chicken. Will the Republicans rally around Trump’s bold idea of shutting things down for the sake of election integrity, or will they heed McConnell’s cautious call for sanity? Whatever the outcome, one thing remains clear: the Republican Party is in for a bumpy ride, and it seems the drama will only ramp up from here.
