House Passes Stopgap Funding Bill to Avoid Fall Shutdown, But Senate Battle Looms

The House passed a short-term continuing resolution on Tuesday night in a mostly party-line vote of 220-205, with only one Republican, Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, joining the bulk of Democrats in opposition, and just six Democrats crossing the aisle to support it. The measure would keep federal agencies funded through December 4, buying lawmakers more time to complete all 12 annual appropriations bills for the new fiscal year. The government is currently set to run out of money at the end of September, just before the midterm elections, and some House Republicans had been holding up legislation in an effort to pressure Senate colleagues into passing the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo ID at the ballot box. CBS News reports that Democrats largely opposed the measure, arguing it fails to constrain funding for the administration’s immigration enforcement operations, while the bill’s fate in the Senate remains uncertain with Senate Majority Leader John Thune signaling that chamber has its own plans.