Speaker Mike Johnson's short-gap spending bill spectacularly scrapped with 19 days until shutdown

By JON MICHAEL RAASCH - U.S. POLITICAL REPORTER 17:59 11 Sep 2024, updated 22:27 11 Sep 2024

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As Congress hurdles towards yet another government funding deadline, Speaker Mike Johnson thought a funding bill with a conservative voting law attached could fix it.

Just 19 days remain before government funding runs out and the organs of the federal body begin to shut down - and Republican leaders are now trying to piece together a plan to keep the lights on and doors open. 

Johnson's proposal to do just that was released last Friday and drew the attention of party leader Donald Trump, who yesterday suggested that if the GOP legislation is not affixed, then the speaker should entertain shutting down the government. 

So Johnson decided not to put the government funding bill up for a vote today, indicating that his conference needs to hash out the details as the clock ticks down and Trump watches keenly their every move. 

Many Republicans are worried that a shutdown could negatively impact their reelection odds come November, but the party boss Donald seems adamant that Congress heads in that direction. 

Trump is demanding the SAVE Act, which restricts illegal immigrants from registering to vote, gets passed ahead of his contest against Vice President Kamala Harris. 

Mostly all Republicans are on board with the strategy, though some have taken issue with the levels of spending contained in the legislation. 

With the margin between Democrats and Republicans so narrow in the House, Johnson can only afford to lose four GOP votes to the Democrats, the speaker seemingly decided the vote was too risky of a move.  

'No vote today, because we're in the consensus building business here in Congress with small majorities,' Johnson said Wednesday.

On Tuesday he indicated the only path forward to fund the government was to use his proposal with the attached SAVE Act. 

His mind had been changed over the ensuing day as he spoke to his members and advisors. 

'That's what you do. That's what I've been doing since I became speaker. We're having thoughtful conversations and family conversations within the Republican conference, and I believe we'll get there.'

'So people have concerns about all sorts of things. That's how the process works, and sometimes it takes a little more time,' Johnson continued. 

Trump directly called on Republicans in Congress to not go forward with funding the government should the SAVE Act not be attached on Tuesday.

'If Republicans in the House, and Senate, Don't get absolute assurances on election security, they should, in no way, shape, or form, go forward with a continuing resolution on the budget.'  

'The Democrats are trying to 'stuff' voter registrations with illegal aliens. Don't let it happen - close it down!' his post continued. 

Currently, 220 of the 435 members in the House of Representatives are Republicans while there are 211 Democrats. There are four vacancies. 

Johnson can only afford to lose four votes from his Republican party to pass the bill.

And one of those members told DailyMail.com 'Hell no' he is not backing the speaker's funding plan.  

'I'm voting Hell No on the 'Continuing Appropriations and Other Matter Act' this week,' Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie said in a statement to DailyMail.com on Monday. 

'I don't care which bright shiny object is attached to it, or which fake fight we start and won't finish.'

'Congress is spending our country into oblivion, and this bill doesn't cut spending,' he concluded - cementing his position against the bill over it not addressing the explosive growth of the $35 trillion U.S. national debt. 

And shockingly one GOP member, Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., was suddenly hospitalized Tuesday evening after experiencing 'stroke-like symptoms.'

It is unclear when Wilson will be able to return to vote. 

Additionally, a handful of other Republican members publicly made clear they would not back the funding plan in its current form. 

The clock is ticking, and Johnson and his Republican leadership team have lots of work to do and people to please.