Despite facing significant opposition from members of his own party, Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, remains determined to proceed with his government funding package. The package, aimed at averting a potential government shutdown at the end of the month, is expected to face defeat, dealing House Republicans a significant blow.

Given their slim majority, Republicans can only afford a few defections from GOP members on the upcoming vote. However, a substantial number of Republicans have publicly voiced their opposition to the proposed funding package. Despite this, former President Donald Trump has called on Johnson and his party to back a government shutdown if a funding bill is not linked to the SAVE Act, a legislation aimed at overhauling voting laws to require proof of citizenship during voter registration.

In a post on the newly launched social media platform Truth Social, Trump expressed his stance, stating, "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.... CLOSE IT DOWN!!!" However, it is important to note that this plan faces several obstacles, including Democratic opposition in the Senate, a potential veto from the White House, and even hurdles within the House itself.

While Democrats and some Republicans advocate for a "clean" continuing resolution (CR) that would fund the government until December, extending past the upcoming election, Johnson remains resolute in his strategy. Speaking to reporters after a closed-door meeting with fellow Republicans, Johnson defended his decision to tie the funding package to the SAVE Act, emphasizing a desire to prioritize election integrity.

When questioned about the possibility of a government shutdown over the voting legislation, Johnson did not directly indicate his stance. However, he reaffirmed his commitment to his current plan, stating, "I am in this to win this." He added, "We are going to put the SAVE Act and the CR together, and we're going to move that through the process. And I am resolved to that; we're not looking at any other alternative.... I think almost 90% of the American people believe in that principle and that's why we're going to stand and fight."

The first test of support for Johnson's plan came with the passing of the rule dictating debate time and the procedure for bringing the CR to the floor. While only two Republicans joined all Democrats in voting against the rule, more GOP members have indicated their intent to vote against the underlying bill during Wednesday's vote. Johnson and his leadership team now face the challenge of rallying these rebellious members back in line.

With only a thin margin for dissent, Republicans can only afford four GOP defections if all lawmakers participate in the vote. However, at least six Republicans, including Representatives Jim Banks of Indiana, Cory Mills of Florida, Tim Burchett of Tennessee, Andy Biggs of Arizona, and Matt Rosendale of Montana, have already declared their intention to vote against the funding package.

One point of contention raised by Mills is the argument that passing the SAVE Act alongside the CR will do little to address border security concerns or rein in government spending. Despite these concerns, Johnson remains resolute in his approach, believing that extending funding until early 2025 will prevent a last-minute flurry of legislative endeavors prior to the holiday season.

While Johnson continues to stand behind his plan, some Senate Republicans express apprehension about potentially triggering a government shutdown so close to the upcoming election. Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina warns that such shutdowns historically backfire on Republicans. Senator Bill Cassidy from Louisiana shares a similar sentiment and advocates for getting the funding bill resolved promptly to start the new Congress on a clean slate.

As the battle over the government funding package intensifies, all eyes now turn to the upcoming vote in the House. Whether Speaker Mike Johnson can successfully navigate the challenges within his own party and secure enough support for the package remains uncertain.