Article Summary –
Key Points
The U.S. Congress, with bipartisan support, passed a three-month continuing resolution to prevent a federal government shutdown, despite opposition from many Republicans following Trump’s push to attach the SAVE Act, which aims to tighten voter identification requirements and purge voter rolls. The House approved the measure 341-82, and the Senate followed with a 78-18 vote, with President Biden signing it into law, while all opposing votes came from Republicans. Government shutdowns historically harm the economy, public servants, and essential services, as demonstrated by the longest shutdown in U.S. history forced by Trump in 2018-2019, which the Congressional Budget Office estimated cost the U.S. economy $8 billion.
Michigan Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin joined bipartisan majorities in Congress on Sept. 25 to pass a three-month stopgap spending bill, averting a partial federal government shutdown. Despite opposition from numerous Republican lawmakers, the legislation was approved following former President Donald Trump’s call to shut down the government unless Democrats accepted last-minute election law changes, potentially preventing 13 million U.S. citizens from voting.
With federal government funding set to expire at the end of September, the House approved a continuing resolution to extend operations until Dec. 20 and increase Secret Service funding, passing by 341-82. The Senate passed it by 78-18, and President Joe Biden signed it on Sept. 26. All “no” votes were from Republicans.
Trump urged Republicans to block any resolution without the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, requiring specific voter IDs and increasing voter roll purges. Supporters claim the SAVE Act would curb noncitizen voting, statistically nonexistent and already illegal.
“If Republicans don’t get the SAVE Act, they should not agree to a Continuing Resolution,” Trump posted on social media. “BE SMART, REPUBLICANS, YOU’VE BEEN PUSHED AROUND LONG ENOUGH BY THE DEMOCRATS.”
The House Republican majority failed to pass a six-month stopgap bill with SAVE Act attached, losing by a 202-220 vote on Sept. 18.
Every Michigan congressional member voted for the stopgap.
“I voted with a strong bipartisan majority to keep the government funded through December and avoid a shutdown costly for Michigan and our country,” said Rep. Slotkin in a statement. Slotkin, the Democratic nominee for Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s seat, emphasized the bill’s support for bipartisan priorities like the Secret Service and disaster-affected communities.
In the upcoming election, Slotkin will face Republican former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, a Trump supporter who previously called for a government shutdown for border security. Trump’s influence led Republicans to kill a bipartisan border security deal earlier this year.
Shutdowns hurt the economy, public servants, and Americans relying on government services. Essential functions continue, but federal workers go unpaid, affecting food safety inspections, Social Security applications, and veteran services.
Trump initiated the longest partial government shutdown in U.S. history in December 2018, reducing GDP by about $8 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office’s estimate.
Ohio Republican Sen. J.D. Vance has missed every Senate vote since Trump named him his running mate on July 15, according to the Washington Post.
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