House Republicans have attached a provision to a stopgap funding bill that would bar noncitizens from voting in federal elections, despite it already being illegal. This move has sparked a battle with the Senate and White House as Congress returns from recess. The bill would extend spending until March 28, but President Joe Biden has threatened to veto it, calling it cynical and unnecessary.
Senate Democrats oppose the bill, arguing that it is a divisive attempt to sow distrust in U.S. elections ahead of November. House Speaker Mike Johnson argues that protecting the integrity of the election system is crucial, despite research showing noncitizen voting is rare. Former President Donald Trump has also voiced support for the bill, claiming noncitizen voting was the reason he lost the popular vote in 2016.
The bill was spearheaded by Texas GOP Rep. Chip Roy and passed in the House with the support of five Democrats. The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 prohibits states from confirming citizenship status, leading to a push by state lawmakers for ballot measures in states like Idaho, Iowa, and Kentucky to bar noncitizens from voting.
The Only Citizens Vote Coalition, which includes election denier activists and anti-immigrant groups, has also urged Congress to pass a bill barring noncitizens from voting. The bill’s opponents argue that it is shortchanging veterans and jeopardizing their care, while supporters stress the need to protect the integrity of the nation’s election system. The battle over this bill is expected to continue in Congress this week as the countdown to the government shutdown deadline on October 1 looms.
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