With Debt Limit Deal in Hand, McCarthy and Biden Turn to Task of … – The New York Times
A day after striking a deal in principle with President Biden to suspend the debt limit, Speaker Kevin McCarthy and his leadership team began an all-out sales pitch on Sunday to rally Republicans behind a compromise that was drawing intense resistance from the hard right.
To get the legislation through a fractious and closely divided Congress, Mr. McCarthy and top Democratic leaders must cobble together a coalition of Republicans and Democrats in the House and the Senate willing to back it. Members of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus have already declared war on the plan, which they say fails to impose meaningful spending cuts, and warned that they would seek to block it.
So after spending late nights and early mornings in recent days in feverish negotiations to strike the deal, which would suspend the debt ceiling for two years while cutting and capping some federal programs over the same period, proponents have turned their energies to ensuring it can pass in time to avert a default now projected on June 5.
This is the most conservative spending package in my service in Congress, and this is my 10th term, Representative Patrick T. McHenry, Republican of North Carolina and a lead member of Mr. McCarthys negotiating team, said at a news conference on Capitol Hill on Sunday morning.
House Republicans circulated a one-page memo with 10 talking points about the conservative benefits of the deal, which was still being finalized and written into legislative text on Sunday, hours before it was expected to be released. The G.O.P. memo asserted that the plan would cap government spending at 1 percent annually for six years though the measure is only binding for two years and noted that it would impose stricter work requirements for Americans receiving government benefits, cut $400 million from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for global health fundingand eliminate funding for hiring new I.R.S. agents in 2023.
Legislative text released Sunday evening also revealed that the bill includes expedited approvals for the Mountain Valley Pipeline, a project favored by Senator Joe Manchin III, a key Democratic swing vote, and other West Virginia lawmakers.
The deal also includes some agreements not clearly included in the 99 pages of bill text.
Administration officials said on Sunday that they had agreed to repurpose $10 billion of extra I.R.S. money in each of the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years, which would be a loss of a quarter of the $80 billion the agency received for enhanced services and enforcement as part of the Inflation Reduction Act.
But officials said in a call with reporters that they expected no disruptions whatsoever from the loss of that money in the short term. That is likely because all of the $80 billion from the 2022 law was appropriated at once, but the agency planned to spend it over eight years. Officials suggested the I.R.S. might simply pull forward some of the money earmarked for later years, then return to Congress later to ask for more money.
It doesnt get everything everybody wanted, Mr. McCarthy told reporters on Capitol Hill. But, in divided government, thats where we end up. I think its a very positive bill.
Mr. Biden told reporters that he was confident the deal would reach his desk and that he spoke with Mr. McCarthy on Sunday afternoon to make sure all the Ts are crossed and the Is are dotted.
The agreement prevents the worst possible crisis, a default for the first time in our nations history, Mr. Biden said later in the day, adding, It also protects key priorities and accomplishments and values that congressional Democrats and I have fought long and hard for.
Mr. Biden said it was an open question whether the deal would make it through Congress. I have no idea whether he has the votes, he said of Mr. McCarthy. I expect he does.
Still, the deal was facing harsh criticism from the wings of both political parties.
Terrible policy, absolutely terrible policy, Representative Pramila Jayapal, Democrat of Washington, said on CNNs State of the Union, referring to the work requirements for food stamps and other public benefit programs. I told the president that directly when he called me last week on Wednesday that this is saying to poor people and people who are in need that we dont trust them.
Ms. Jayapal, the chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said she wanted to read the bill before she decided whether to support it.
Some on the right had already ruled out doing so before seeing the details.
No one claiming to be a conservative could justify a YES vote, Representative Bob Good, Republican of Virginia and a member of the House Freedom Caucus, wrote on Twitter. Representative Dan Bishop, Republican of North Carolina, posted his reaction to news of the deal: a vomit emoji.
Russell T. Vought, President Trumps influential former budget director who now runs the Center for Renewing America, encouraged right-wing Republicans to use their seats on the House Rules Committee which Mr. McCarthy granted them as he toiled to win their votes to become speaker to block the deal. Conservatives should fight it with all their might, he said.
Some Senate Republicans, who under that chambers rules have more tools to slow consideration of legislation, were also up in arms.
No real cuts to see here, Senator Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky, said on Twitter. Conservatives have been sold out once again!
With Republicans like these, who needs Democrats? asked Senator Mike Lee, Republican of Utah, who has vowed to delay the debt limit deal.
Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, was also critical though for a much different reason. He called the deal too stingy, demanding more robust military funding, particularly for the Navy.
I am not going to do a deal that marginally reduces the number of I.R.S. agents in the future at the expense of sinking the Navy, Mr. Graham said on Fox News Sunday.
But Mr. McCarthy argued that Republican critics were a small faction.
More than 95 percent of all those in the conference were very excited, Mr. McCarthy, who briefed Republicans about the deal on Saturday night, said on Fox. Think about this: We finally were able to cut spending. Were the first Congress to vote for cutting spending year over year.
The deal would essentially freeze federal spending that had been on track to grow, excluding military and veterans programs.
Representative Dusty Johnson, Republican of South Dakota and an ally of Mr. McCarthys, said that House Republicans would overwhelmingly support the debt deal. He played down the right-wing revolt, claiming that leaders never expected certain House Freedom Caucus members to vote for it.
When youre saying that conservatives have concerns, it is really the most colorful conservatives, Mr. Johnson said on State of the Union, pointing out that some Republicans even voted against a more conservative proposal to raise the debt ceiling. Some of those guys you mentioned didnt vote for the thing when it was kind of a Republican wish list.
Still, it was clear Mr. McCarthy would need votes from Democrats to pass the measure through the House and those might not prove easy to deliver, especially from the left wing in the House.
Representative Jim Himes, Democrat of Connecticut, said he was undecided about how to vote but expressed anger at the negotiations, which he compared to hostage-taking on the part of Republicans.
None of the things in the bill are Democratic priorities, Mr. Himes said on Fox. Mr. Himes said the legislation was not going to make any Democrats happy.
But its a small enough bill that in the service of actually not destroying the economy this week may get Democratic votes, he said.
Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York, the House minority leader, said on CBSs Face the Nation that he expected that there will be Democratic support once we have the ability to actually be fully briefed by the White House.
But he was clear that he did not like the position Democrats were in.
We have to, of course, avoid a market crash. We have to avoid tanking the economy. We have to avoid a default, Mr. Jeffries said. The reason why were in this situation from the very beginning is that extreme MAGA Republicans made the determination that they were going to use the possibility of default to hold the economy and everyday Americans hostage.
Peter Baker, Catie Edmondson, Jim Tankersley and Alan Rappeport contributed reporting.
More:
With Debt Limit Deal in Hand, McCarthy and Biden Turn to Task of ... - The New York Times
- Kentucky Republican Rand Paul says some immigrants in US illegally should be able to work - Courier Journal - February 14th, 2025 [February 14th, 2025]
- Rand Paul highlights reckless government spending on foreign aid - Washington Examiner - February 14th, 2025 [February 14th, 2025]
- Britt, Tuberville join Rand Paul bill limiting power of unelected bureaucrats - 1819 News - February 14th, 2025 [February 14th, 2025]
- Rand Paul threatens Senate reconciliation bill over "fake pay-for" - Axios - February 14th, 2025 [February 14th, 2025]
- Dr. Rand Paul Reintroduces National Right to Work Act - Senator Rand Paul - February 14th, 2025 [February 14th, 2025]
- Dr. Rand Paul Introduces the Government Shutdown Prevention Act - Senator Rand Paul - February 14th, 2025 [February 14th, 2025]
- European resorts and exclusive ski slopes: Inside Rand Paul's luxury 'fundraising' spree - AlterNet - February 14th, 2025 [February 14th, 2025]
- On earmarks, Rand Paul is not following in his famous fathers footsteps - The Hill - February 14th, 2025 [February 14th, 2025]
- Most DC Bureaucrats Who Voted for Harris Say Theyll Refuse a Lawful Trump Order. Rand Paul Wont Stand for It. - Daily Signal - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Rand Paul shares whats so disappointing from RFK, Jr's confirmation hearing - Fox News - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Dr. Rand Paul, Sen. Jim Risch Introduce Bill to Expand Prohibitions on Use of Foreign Assistance Funding for Abortions - Senator Rand Paul - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul calls for an audit of the Federal Reserve: What do they own? - Fox Business - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Dr. Rand Paul Releases Statement on Nomination of Representative Elise Stefanik to Serve as U.S. Ambassador to United Nations - Senator Rand Paul - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- We must get rid of politicization in government, Rand Paul says - Fox Business - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul on the RFK Jr. Hearings, Revamping America's Health and Cutting Government - The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Sen Rand Paul: Fauci preemptive pardon could backfire; not protected by 5th Amendment anymore - The Hill - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- On eve of March for Life, Rand Paul reintroduces bill to defund Planned Parenthood - Kentucky Today - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul aims to repeal TikTok ban through bipartisan bill - Courier Journal - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul says Fauci pardon solidifies who is to blame for COVID-19 pandemic - Washington Times - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul joins TikTok on app's final day to protest impending ban - WLWT Cincinnati - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Rand Paul joins TikTok in protest of ban - FingerLakes1.com - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Mitch McConnell, Rand Paul have opposing views on TikTok ban. Here's what they're saying - Courier Journal - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Rand Paul: Some are so confused about inflation, they think greed causes it - Fox Business - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Rand Paul: Kristi Noem will help restore DHS transparency and accountability - MSN - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- TikTok ban is a First Amendment case, Rand Paul explains - Fox Business - January 11th, 2025 [January 11th, 2025]
- Chairman Rand Paul - Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs - January 11th, 2025 [January 11th, 2025]
- Dr. Rand Paul, Sen. Rick Scott Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Lock The Clock - Senator Rand Paul - January 11th, 2025 [January 11th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul: If There Is An Attempt To Raise The Debt Ceiling, I Will Not Vote For The Bill - RealClearPolitics - January 11th, 2025 [January 11th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul Opposes Attaching Debt Limit To Trump's Agenda - Inkl - January 11th, 2025 [January 11th, 2025]
- 'Just Sort Of An Insult': When Rand Paul Grilled Archivist Nominee During Homeland Security Hearing - MSN - January 3rd, 2025 [January 3rd, 2025]
- Rand Paul, Thomas Massie oppose Mike Johnson for Speaker, Massie says; 'Nothing left to lose' - The Hill - January 3rd, 2025 [January 3rd, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul pledges to get Trumps cabinet picks approved as quickly as possible - Yahoo! Voices - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Rand Paul suggests replacing Mike Johnson with Elon Musk as Speaker of the House - Fox News - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Sen. Rand Paul floats Government Shutdown Prevention Act as amendment to H.R. 82 - Kentucky Today - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- MTG and Rand Paul float Elon Musk for speaker of the House - Business Insider - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Media Miss by the Left: Rand Paul's annual Festivus report highlights $1 trillion in government spending - Straight Arrow News - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Rand Paul, in His Annual Festivus Celebration, Airs His Grievances About Government Spending in 2024 - The New York Sun - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Rand Paul blocks bill to authorize local, state authorities to track drones - The Hill - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Rand Paul blocks bill responding to drone sightings: Shouldn't rush to grant 'sweeping surveillance powers' - Fox News - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- When Rand Paul Got Into Heated Exchange With Former NIH Official Over COVID-19 - MSN - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Rand Paul on spending bill battle: Do we want government to be bigger or smaller? - Fox Business - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Rand Paul uncovers $15 million taxpayer-funded cat experiments - Washington Examiner - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Rand Paul says he will support raising debt ceiling if government reform happens - MSN - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Rand Paul Suggests Worst Person You Know Should Be Next House Speaker - The New Republic - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Sen. Rand Paul: I Would Agree To Raise Debt Ceiling If We Actually Have A Plan To Cut Spending - RealClearPolitics - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Rand Paul seeks to press Fauci on gain-of-function research with new chairmanship - Washington Examiner - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Rand Paul Says Mike Johnson Will be 'Gone' in Annual 'Festivus' Report - MSN - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Rand Paul on spending bill battle: Do we want government to be bigger or smaller? - MSN - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Rand Paul blocks Schumer bill on mystery drone detection - Washington Examiner - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Senator Rand Paul on the CR, Elon for Speaker and a Pardon for Fauci? - The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Rand Paul Brutally Shreds Mike Johnson Over Spending Bill - The New Republic - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- A Weak, Weak Man: Rand Paul Obliterates Speaker Johnson Says His Budget Bill Will Help Cause the U.S. Dollar to Fail - Mediaite - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- Rand Paul Claims Biden Spends Billions on Magic and Ice Skating Drag Queens - Yahoo News - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- Sen. Rand Paul reveals shocking government spending - MSN - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- Sen. Rand Paul reveals shocking government spending - Fox News - December 14th, 2024 [December 14th, 2024]
- Sen. Rand Paul introduces bipartisan bill that will provide due process protections to property owners - Kentucky Today - December 14th, 2024 [December 14th, 2024]
- Best of the Program | Guests: Sen. Rand Paul & Randy Clark | 12/9/24 - iHeartRadio - December 14th, 2024 [December 14th, 2024]
- Rand Paul looking to address national debt, inflation in the next year - WHOP - December 14th, 2024 [December 14th, 2024]
- Senator Rand Paul urges immediate US troop withdrawal from Syria - Al Mayadeen English - December 14th, 2024 [December 14th, 2024]
- Rand Paul demands removal of 900 US troops from Syria: I agree with President Trump - The Hill - December 14th, 2024 [December 14th, 2024]
- Rand Paul GOES OFF on Rumor that Biden Will Pardon Dr. Fauci | NewsRadio WFLA | The Glenn Beck Program - NewsRadio WFLA - December 14th, 2024 [December 14th, 2024]
- Best of the Program | Guests: Sen. Rand Paul & Randy Clark | 12/9/24 - The Glenn Beck Program - iHeartRadio - December 14th, 2024 [December 14th, 2024]
- Gerth: How I miss the days when Rand Paul was the crazy one in Washington | Opinion - Courier Journal - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Rand Paul gets mixed up on the right side of history - Baptist News Global - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Its Illegal: Rand Paul Breaks With Trump on Two Key Campaign Promises - The Daily Beast - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Sen. Rand Paul says he "will not support" use of military in Trump's planned deportations - CBS News - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Sen. Rand Paul opposes use of military for planned deportations - Spectrum News 1 - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Sen. Rand Paul opposes use of military for deportations, says its illegal - Straight Arrow News - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Rand Paul claims feds refusing to hand over docs that unlock origins of COVID-19 but Trump may change that - New York Post - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Its Illegal: Rand Paul Breaks With Trump on Two Key Administration Promises - Yahoo! Voices - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Rand Paul Warns the Mayor of Denver Could Be Removed from Office if He Blocks Trumps Mass Deportations - Mediaite - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Rand Paul suggests Denver mayor opposing deportations is a form of insurrection - Washington Examiner - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Rand Paul: Denver Mayor Will Likely Be Removed From Office If He Obstructs ICE - The Daily Wire - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Its Illegal: Rand Paul Breaks With Trump on Two Key Campaign Promises - MSN - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Republican Rand Paul opposes Trump talk of using military in deportations - MSN - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Senator Rand Paul Introduces HEMP Act, Which Would Amend the Definition of Hemp - Cannabis Science and Technology - October 4th, 2024 [October 4th, 2024]
- I blame all 'left-wing' outlets for promoting the idea that Trump is ending democracy: Sen. Rand Paul - Fox News - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]
- Dr. Rand Paul Introduces Six Penny Plan to Balance the Federal Budget in Five Years - Senator Rand Paul - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]
- Rand Paul is right Congress should reclaim its tariff policy authority - Washington Examiner - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]
- Dr. Rand Paul Celebrates Constitution Day with the No Taxation Without Representation Act - Senator Rand Paul - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]