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Posted: 2024-09-25T20:35:22Z | Updated: 2024-09-26T09:24:39Z

WASHINGTON The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday defied former President Donald Trump by approving a government funding bill without a crackdown on the imaginary threat of widespread voter fraud.

The bill passed in overwhelming bipartisan fashion, by a final tally of 341 to 82, with 209 Democrats and 132 Republicans in support and only 82 Republicans against.

Shortly after the House vote, senators on Wednesday evening approved the legislation with a 78-18 tally, averting a government shutdown at the end of the month.

Trump has openly advocated for a government shutdown if Republicans omitted the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, a bill that would require Americans to show proof of citizenship when they register to vote.

I would shut down the government in a heartbeat if they dont get it and if they dont get it in the bill, Trump said last month.

Trump privately called on multiple House Republicans this week to push for new voting restrictions in the funding bill, multiple sources told The Hill on Wednesday . Adding such provisions to a funding bill would all but guarantee a shutdown, since Democrats would refuse to support the legislation.

Its already illegal for noncitizens to vote, and they rarely do. Still, Trump has claimed without evidence that undocumented immigrants could sway Novembers election.

Contrary to Trump, many Republicans have said that shutting down the government in October of an election year is a dumb idea.

Im still mystified anybody wants to do it, let alone five weeks before an election, Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) told HuffPost on Wednesday.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) last week had the House vote on a resolution that paired government funding with the SAVE Act, but the bill failed , with almost all Democrats and 14 Republicans voting no.

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This has been the least productive Congress in modern history, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) said before the vote on Wednesday. The majority cant even convince its own members to support its own bills.

Johnson has echoed Trumps false claims that undocumented immigrants are voting in large numbers. He suggested this week that he would not support certifying the election results on Jan. 6, 2025, if the election isnt fair.

Asked Tuesday if he would certify a Trump loss, Johnson said, If we have a free, fair and safe election, were going to follow the Constitution, absolutely.

This story has been updated with the Senate vote.

Support Free Journalism

Consider supporting HuffPost starting at $2 to help us provide free, quality journalism that puts people first.

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. We hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.

Support HuffPost