House conservatives advocating for funding fight as shutdown approaches weeks before Election Day

The hard-right Freedom Caucus is pressuring House Republican leaders to tie government funding to new proof-of-citizenship requirements for voting, risking a government shutdown just before the 2024 elections. The caucus wants a deadline of early 2025 for funding, which contradicts most lawmakers’ preference for a late 2024 deadline. The new requirements, including the SAVE Act, are aimed at preventing non-citizens from voting and have been criticized as unnecessary and potentially disenfranchising. The bill is strongly opposed by Senate Democrats and is unlikely to pass, leading to a potential standoff that could result in a government shutdown. Senate Democrats and Republican leaders are calling for a bipartisan approach to ensure government funding and responsible spending bills are passed before the end of the year. The Freedom Caucus, despite being in upheaval following the loss of its chairman, continues to advocate for its conservative demands and could disrupt the budget process. House Speaker Mike Johnson has not made any decisions on how to proceed, but has emphasized the progress made on funding bills through September of next year. The situation highlights the ongoing tension between conservative and moderate factions within the Republican party and the challenges of passing critical legislation in a divided Congress.

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