The House failed to pass the CR with the attached SAVE Act on Wednesday to fund the federal government.

“The House vote was 202 to 220, with 14 Republicans voting against it, two Republicans voting present and three Democrats voting for it,” CNN noted.

BREAKING: 14 Republicans join with Democrats to block spending bill that contained SAVE Act to ensure illegal aliens don’t vote in U.S. elections pic.twitter.com/1UpKdwYD0v

— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) September 18, 2024

“And so now we go back to the playbook, draw up another play, and we’ll come up with a solution. I’m already talking to colleagues about their many ideas. We have time to fix the situation, and we’ll get right to it. I’m disappointed,” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) told reporters, according to CNN.

The House rejected H.R. 9494 by a 202-220, with 2 voting present. https://t.co/8SgAfdZpzt

— House Press Gallery (@HouseDailyPress) September 18, 2024

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who voted present, has criticized Johnson for setting up a fake fight that’s nothing more than political theater.

You’re misinformed. She voted Present, as did I. Today’s vote was another act in the failure theater. Mike Johnson and other disingenuous actors wanted this vote to fail today so he could blame the only people who are actually fighting to save this country.

— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) September 18, 2024

Per CNN:

Johnson pulled a vote on the government funding legislation last week after enough House Republicans came out against the spending plan to sink it, but has been under pressure to take action on election security as Trump continues to sow doubts over election integrity in the run-up to November.

“If Republicans don’t get the SAVE Act, and every ounce of it, they should not agree to a Continuing Resolution in any way, shape, or form,” Trump said on Truth Social earlier on Wednesday ahead of the vote.

Johnson would not reveal on Wednesday ahead of the planned vote what he would do if the GOP government funding plan fails and said he has spoken to Trump “a lot” about government funding after the former president floated a government shutdown.

Trump had previously said that if Republicans don’t receive “absolute assurances” about election security, they should not pass a funding extension.

“Congress has an immediate obligation to do two things: responsibly fund the federal government, and ensure the security of our elections. Because we owe this to our constituents, we will move forward on Wednesday with a vote on the 6-month CR with the SAVE Act attached,” Johnson said Tuesday.

“I urge all of my colleagues to do what the overwhelming majority of the people of this county rightfully demand and deserve – prevent non-American citizens from voting in American elections,” he added.

“Your bill does NOT responsibly fund government. It’s 12 bills rolled into one bill that continues the profligate spending that’s ruining our country. The fact that you’ve added a 13th bill to it does not make it a serious solution. Please quit insulting our constituents,” Massie responded.

Your bill does NOT responsibly fund government.

It’s 12 bills rolled into one bill that continues the profligate spending that’s ruining our country.

The fact that you’ve added a 13th bill to it does not make it a serious solution.

Please quit insulting our constituents.

— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) September 17, 2024

“Like an undead but doomed zombie, the CR+Save Act is back. Speaker Johnson is fake fighting by attaching a bright shiny object (that he will later abandon) to a bill that continues our path of destructive spending. I won’t be any part of this insulting charade. I’m a h*** no,” Massie said.

Like an undead but doomed zombie, the CR+Save Act is back.

Speaker Johnson is fake fighting by attaching a bright shiny object (that he will later abandon) to a bill that continues our path of destructive spending.

I won’t be any part of this insulting charade. I’m a hell no. https://t.co/oY0LHVpYO4

— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) September 17, 2024

“I refuse to be a thespian in the Speaker’s failure theater. The 6 month continuing resolution with the SAVE Act attached is an insult to Americans’ intelligence. The CR doesn’t cut spending, and the shiny object attached to it will be dropped like a hot potato before passage,” Massie said last week.

WATCH:

I refuse to be a thespian in the Speaker’s failure theater.

The 6 month continuing resolution with the SAVE Act attached is an insult to Americans’ intelligence.

The CR doesn’t cut spending, and the shiny object attached to it will be dropped like a hot potato before passage. pic.twitter.com/0FdHRYTm1q

— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) September 9, 2024

Newsweek reports:

With just weeks before the November elections, the stakes are high, and some Republicans worry that a shutdown could hurt their chances at the polls. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has been clear in his opposition to the shutdown strategy.

“One thing you cannot have is a government shutdown. It would be politically beyond stupid for us to do that right before the election, because certainly we’d get the blame,” McConnell told reporters on Tuesday.

The continuing resolution (CR), which would extend government funding until March 2025, includes the SAVE Act. Johnson argued this is essential to safeguard upcoming elections, citing concerns that “millions and millions of illegals…have come across the border” and might attempt to vote illegally.

However, critics, including many Democrats, note that non-citizens are already prohibited from voting in federal elections, casting doubt on the necessity of the bill. Voting for federal offices in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., is restricted to citizens only.

Even if Johnson secures House approval for the bill, it is expected to fail in the Senate, which could force him to push for a more straightforward CR without the controversial provision. This approach could expose him to criticism from the GOP’s right-wing factions, particularly with elections approaching.

Johnson’s leadership will also be tested when Republicans select a speaker after the November elections. If his handling of the shutdown deepens internal divisions, it could jeopardize his reelection as speaker, should the GOP retain control of the House.

This is a Guest Post from our friends over at 100 Percent Fed Up.

View the original article here.