Conservatives pitch last-minute border amendment on bill to avert shutdown Conservatives pitch last-minute border amendment on bill to avert shutdown
by Emily Brooks and Mychael Schnell - 01/18/24 1:09 PM ET
Members of the House Freedom Caucus made a last-minute pitch to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to change plans for how to pass a stopgap government funding bill by adding an amendment vote on border and migration policy measures.
Such a move would throw a wrench into the plan to avert a partial shutdown. But a spokesperson for Johnson appeared to beat down the idea.
“The plan has not changed. The House is voting on the stop gap measure tonight to keep the government open,” Johnson spokesperson Raj Shah posted on X in response to the Freedom Caucus push.
Still, leaders of the group had hoped for a change of plans.
“The Speaker is considering it, and he’s working through the mechanics to make sure that … we have the best path forward on how to do it within the legislative process,” Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.), chair of the Freedom Caucus, said while leaving Johnson’s office on Thursday.
The meeting came soon after word broke that the House would vote on the “clean” funding extension Thursday afternoon, after the Senate is expected to pass it. The lower chamber canceled scheduled votes Friday — the day of the partial government shutdown deadline — ahead of expected snow that could complicate lawmakers’ travel plans.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4416125-conservatives-border-amendment-shutdown/
