House Freedom Caucus Pushes New Voting Requirements

The House Freedom Caucus is pressuring Republican leaders to attach new proof-of-citizenship voting requirements to a government funding bill, risking a shutdown just weeks before the 2024 elections. This strategy, framed as a necessity to prevent non-citizens from voting, has met with opposition from Senate Democrats and could lead to a political standoff. With a deadline to avert a shutdown on October 1, lawmakers are anticipated to push for a short-term funding bill to maintain current spending levels. The Freedom Caucus also aims to delay major funding decisions until early 2025, hoping for a political shift following the presidential election. Their proposals, including the SAVE Act to ban noncitizen voting, may further complicate negotiations as they face significant opposition from Democrats. The situation is made more urgent with Congress returning from recess on September 9, leaving little time to navigate these contentious issues.