There is fear of a government shutdown.
Some House Republicans are privately expressing concerns about the potential impact of a partial government shutdown on their election prospects for November. According to a lawmaker who spoke with Fox News Digital, a shutdown could be detrimental to their chances.
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., recently presented his strategy to avoid a shutdown during a private call with House GOP members. His proposal includes a six-month extension of the current fiscal year’s funding levels, known as a “continuing resolution” (CR), to provide additional time for negotiations on next year’s budget. This extension would be tied to a bill requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration, known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. However, both Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and the White House have publicly opposed this act, making it unlikely to gain traction in the Senate if passed by the House.
Concerns about Johnson’s plan include skepticism about its feasibility given the opposition from Senate leaders. Some Republicans worry that past shutdowns, such as those during the Obama and Trump administrations, have led to voter backlash against the GOP. They believe the party often bears the brunt of public blame for such events, partly due to combative rhetoric and the perception that Republicans are more willing to endure a shutdown.
With a potential shutdown looming if an agreement is not reached by October 1, there are fears about its impact on vulnerable Republicans, particularly those in swing states. Veteran GOP strategist Doug Heye noted that while a shutdown might have less impact in a presidential election year, it still carries risks that could affect the party’s image.
On the other hand, some Republicans downplay the potential fallout from a shutdown. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., believes the media exaggerates the consequences of shutdowns, noting that federal employees typically receive retroactive payments once the situation is resolved. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, emphasized that the focus should remain on securing elections rather than on the shutdown itself, suggesting that if Democrats choose to shut down the government, the responsibility would lie with them.
