GOP senator circulates plan to avoid government shutdown before Trump meeting

Sen. ), chairman of the Senate Steering Committee, is circulating a plan among Senate Republicans to pass a continuing resolution that would keep government funding frozen at current levels through the November midterm elections. Scott wrote that the measure would prevent a third government shutdown in the 119th Congress.

He said the proposal should be discussed when President Trump meets with GOP senators at a Wednesday lunch in the Capitol.

Funding deadline and party positions Scott stated that Democrats are unlikely to help pass any of the 12 annual spending bills before the Sept. 30 deadline. He urged colleagues to focus on avoiding a shutdown and advancing the SAVE America Act, which would require documented proof of citizenship when registering to vote.

“We need to make it clear to all Americans that Democrats want to shut down government and don't care how it impacts federal workers or the economy and Republicans want to fund the government,” Scott wrote in the letter circulated on Monday.

Election security and worker protections Scott also called for another effort to pass the SAVE America Act or portions of it, including a photo identification requirement for voters. He said Republicans should demonstrate support for election security while portraying Democrats as favoring fraud.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) has said Democrats support voter identification requirements, though they voted against an amendment sponsored by Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) earlier this year. Scott further urged Republicans to pass one of two pieces of legislation aimed at shielding federal workers from the effects of a shutdown.