Well, it looks like House Republicans are trying to juggle more than they can handle again. This time, they’re offering a “clean” stopgap spending bill to keep the government afloat until mid-December, but they dropped a crucial piece of voting reform backed by none other than former President Trump. You know, the man who actually made voters care about election integrity? This isn’t exactly the kind of leadership we were hoping for, folks.

The latest plan, released over the weekend, seeks to extend government funding at current levels until December 20th. Now, before you get excited, let’s remember this only buys Congress time to continue their endless budget negotiations for the 2025 fiscal year. This proposal comes after last week’s failure to pass a similar funding bill, which would’ve extended spending until March 2025. Oh, and that previous proposal? It included the SAVE Act, a voting integrity measure Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) tried to pass as a win for Republicans. But of course, it didn’t go anywhere.

Why, you ask? Well, because not even Republicans could get on board with it. GOP lawmakers couldn’t agree on extending funding, especially when it’s just kicking the can down the road. Many have vowed never to support a temporary spending measure—and who could blame them? It’s about time Congress figures out how to do its job without relying on stopgap bills.

Johnson acknowledged the failure, telling lawmakers in a letter that a new plan is necessary. He had the audacity to describe it as “a very narrow, bare-bones CR,” as if that’s supposed to excite anyone. This three-month continuing resolution (CR) only includes what Johnson calls the “absolutely necessary” extensions to avoid the Senate stuffing the bill with additional spending. It sounds nice, but isn’t that just the bare minimum of their job?

Of course, there’s a catch: the SAVE Act, which Trump has been pushing for, is nowhere to be found. Republicans who actually care about election integrity—hello, anyone paying attention?—might have a problem with that. Trump has been vocal about his opposition to any funding bill that doesn’t include his SAVE Act. He’s even said he wouldn’t mind a government shutdown if that’s what it takes. Now, that’s the kind of backbone you want in politics, not this weak-kneed compromise.

Johnson met with Trump last week to hash out a plan for funding the government. While we’re not privy to all the details, Trump’s stance was clear afterward: no SAVE Act, no deal. Yet, here we are with a three-month extension and no election reform in sight. What was the point of that meeting again?

Still, GOP leaders are spinning this as a victory. They’re claiming the three-month CR is a win because they didn’t cave to Democratic demands for more spending. But let’s be real, keeping spending at current levels is hardly a win when what we really need is to cut spending and focus on actual priorities like election integrity.

Johnson’s letter paints Senate Democrats as the bad guys, blaming them for failing to pass any appropriations bills this year. He says the continuing resolution is the only option left. Sure, blame the Democrats, but the reality is both parties are guilty of dragging their feet. How about some real accountability for once?

The new bill doesn’t include any additional spending for most government departments. That’s a relief, considering the original six-month plan was going to throw extra funds toward disaster relief. But in a three-month package, those funds are conveniently left out—because, you know, who needs disaster relief in the meantime?

There is one area getting extra cash, though: the Secret Service. The clean CR throws $230 million at the agency to boost its budget and tighten security around presidential candidates as we approach the November election. Well, at least someone’s getting what they need.

Now, we’re all waiting to see when the House will bring this CR to the floor. GOP leadership hopes to vote by Wednesday, with the bill heading to the Senate soon after. And then it’s up to President Biden to sign off. No pressure, Joe—just the entire federal government hanging in the balance.

With the clock ticking down to the midnight deadline on October 1, Congress has just over a week to pass some kind of spending deal. But don’t hold your breath for any real progress. This stopgap bill might just be delaying the inevitable showdown come December. Let’s just hope they don’t use this time to shove through more wasteful spending and ignore the real issues—like securing our elections. But hey, what do I know? I’m just a taxpayer watching the circus from the sidelines.