Speaker Johnson Extends the FY24 Budget Until March 2025?

When Congress returns next week, Speaker Johnson is expected to bring to the floor a continuing resolution (CR) next week, which would keep the government funded through March 2025. The bill will be funded at the Fiscal Responsibility Act levels minus the “side deals” worked out between President Biden and former Speaker McCarthy. Also included in the CR is the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote in a federal election. SAVE, authored by Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), and passed the House with five Democratic votes in July. This CR approach is a non-starter for Democrats and the White House. House and Senate Democrats leadership opposed all of the FY25 appropriations bills that House Republicans proposed because the bills are billions of dollars short of the agreed-upon funding levels. SAVE is also a problem for Democrats. Senate Majority Leader Schumer has refused to bring the bill to the Senate floor, stating that “it is already illegal for non-citizens to vote in federal elections and there’s no evidence that it’s a problem.” The Speaker’s CR plan is not expected to move forward, even if the Republican leadership can find the votes for House passage. With the CR vote next week, there is plenty of time to craft another CR that will garner bipartisan support.