Scoop: Mike Johnson's secret Plan B
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Shortly before Wednesday's failed vote on the government spending stopgap, House Speaker Mike Johnson told senior Republicans in a private meeting that he had a Plan B — but wouldn't tell them what it was.
Why it matters: The stopgap vote was a baffling setback for the speaker. He said he wanted to put people on the record on the SAVE Act. Then he lost ground.
- 216 Republicans voted for the SAVE Act, requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote, as a standalone bill in July. Just 199 voted for it on Wednesday when it was attached to the spending stopgap.
- Five Democrats voted for SAVE in July. Three were still on board on Wednesday.
Zoom in: "I'm disappointed," Johnson said after the vote, which he lost by a vote of 220-202.
- "I know this was the right thing to do and I think the American people are going to let a lot of the folks that voted 'no' tonight hear their concerns about it."
- After 14 Republicans voted against his Plan A, Johnson said he'll go back to the playbook.
- Johnson has repeatedly said the government won't shut down, but declined to share his plan to avoid one.
The government will shut down on Oct. 1 unless there's a new budget or spending stopgap.
What we're hearing: One GOP lawmaker accused Johnson on Wednesday of being "cryptic" and "insular" on government funding plans, arguing "you talk to members and he's not where the conference is."
- Just like last week, former President Trump twisted the screws at the last minute.
- "If Republicans don't get the SAVE Act, and every ounce of it, they should not agree to a Continuing Resolution in any way, shape, or form," he posted earlier Wednesday.
The bottom line: After Johnson's 10 days of futility, look for the Senate's patience to run out fast.
- "We now have only a few days left for House Republicans to come to their senses, come to the table, and come together with Democrats to craft a bipartisan agreement," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said after the vote.
- "I think we've got to give them a little bit of time to hopefully originate it over there and send something here," Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) told us earlier today.
