House Speaker Mike Johnson is set to bring a bill to the House that would fund the government for six months and require proof of citizenship when registering to vote. This move is aimed at appealing to conservative Republicans and making immigration-related matters a campaign issue. Democrats are expected to oppose the bill, arguing that bipartisanship is needed to prevent a government shutdown. Schumer and Murray warn that a shutdown could be blamed on House Republicans if a partisan approach is taken. The bill is popular among House Republicans, including the Freedom Caucus, but opponents argue that it could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters. Republicans believe that requiring proof of citizenship would improve confidence in the electoral system, while Democrats and Biden’s administration are against it. Trump and other Republicans have raised concerns about noncitizens voting, but evidence shows it is rare. A key question is how long to extend funding, with different opinions on whether to do so until January or allow the next president to address spending priorities without distractions. With Congress returning to Washington after the summer recess, the bill is necessary to avoid a government shutdown as work on annual spending bills remains incomplete. The Senate has taken a bipartisan approach, while House Republicans are pushing bills through with little Democratic support.
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