Government shutdown could negatively impact House Republicans politically, concerns privately held.

Some House Republicans are privately concerned about the impact of a partial government shutdown on their electoral prospects in November.

One lawmaker told Planet Chronicle Digital that "shutting down" would result in a loss.

On Wednesday morning, in a private call with House GOP lawmakers, Mike Johnson, R-La., disclosed his plan to prevent a partial shutdown.

A six-month extension of fiscal 2024's federal funding levels, known as a "continuing resolution" (CR), will be linked to a bill adding a proof of citizenship requirement to the voter registration process.

If the SAVE Act were to pass the House, it is highly likely that Johnson's plan would be dead on arrival due to opposition from both Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and the White House.

A second House Republican expressed their concerns about the plan, stating that their problem isn't with the policy or the messaging, but with Chuck Schumer's agreement to it.

If the Senate and House fail to reach a consensus by October 1st, the US may experience a partial government shutdown just a month before the election.

The GOP has typically been blamed by Americans during past government shutdowns, such as those that occurred under the Obama and Trump administrations in 2013 and 2019, respectively.

The second Republican acknowledged that voters tend to blame Republicans for shutdowns, which is understandable.

"The more confrontational language used before a shutdown often suggests that we are not concerned about its impact. This may make it easier for Democrats to push us into a corner."

But it takes two to tango, and I don't think what we're asking for is too much.

According to two sources, during a Tuesday House GOP call, questions were raised about Johnson's next move if the Senate sent back a "clean" CR without any attachments, and concerns were expressed about how a possible shutdown would affect vulnerable Republicans.

The GOP has a majority today due to winning seats in California and other blue states. This second GOP lawmaker believes that those members would be most disadvantaged by a shutdown in the four weeks before an election.

A possible government shutdown may have less of an impact during a presidential election year, according to veteran GOP strategist Doug Heye, although he acknowledged it's a risky move.

Heye stated that Republicans are often accused of causing shutdowns, which could strengthen Harris' argument that Trump brings chaos.

He added, "That's not a bet I'd make, especially when the speaker has offered a path to avoid this."

Other Republicans disregarded concerns about political repercussions if a government shutdown occurred.

Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., stated that the legacy media exaggerates shutdowns, making them seem worse than they actually are. He added that no one loses their home or money during these shutdowns, as they are always made whole.

Some non-emergency federal services may be halted and thousands of government employees could be furloughed during a partial government shutdown.

During a federal shutdown, any paused payments are made retroactively to their recipients.

Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, one of the architects of the SAVE Act, declined to say whether he would support a shutdown if the Johnson plan did not pass.

"Roy stated that he would not participate in the "shutdown game" and that the press was attempting to make it about a shutdown. He added that Democrats were trying to make the issue about a shutdown. Roy emphasized that his party was willing to fund the government, but that they needed to ensure secure elections."

"If the Democrats want to shut down the government, that's their responsibility."