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McCarthy faces his first big test as speaker: Defusing a debt ceiling time bomb [1]
['Https', 'Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms', 'Scott Wong', 'Sahil Kapur', 'Scott Wong Is A Senior Congressional Reporter For Nbc News.', 'Sahil Kapur Is A Senior National Political Reporter For Nbc News.']
Date: 2023-04
WASHINGTON — For Kevin McCarthy, nothing comes easy.
In January, he battled his GOP detractors for 15 rounds of voting during a grueling, televised four-day ordeal before he won the House speaker’s gavel. This week, he faces his first major test as speaker: Can he pacify grumbling moderates and agitated conservatives to unite nearly all 222 Republicans behind his plan to hike the debt ceiling and cut spending?
McCarthy, R-Calif., and his allies exude confidence that they can corral the 218 votes they need to pass the Limit, Save, Grow Act, which they believe will put pressure on President Joe Biden to negotiate policy concessions to pay the country's bills as a potential default on U.S. debt looms in as few as two months.
But five Republican no votes would derail the McCarthy debt bill, given that Democrats have expressed strong, unified opposition to it. And several of the 20 hard-right conservatives, who initially blocked McCarthy from winning the speakership three months ago have threatened to vote no this week.
Former Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., one of the five ringleaders of the effort to deny McCarthy the speakership, said he told the GOP whip team he’s “leaning no” on the bill over its main provision, lifting the debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., has demanded “more rigor” on work requirements for recipients of Medicaid and other safety net programs before he’ll get on board. Specifically, he wants recipients to work 30 hours per week, up from 20 hours in the McCarthy plan.
Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., who went back and forth on supporting McCarthy for speaker, said she is also undecided, arguing that if her party wants to target the poor, it should also “challenge the rich monopolists.”
Failure to pass a law with Democrats could spark a global economic meltdown. But making the necessary compromises could put McCarthy’s job in the crosshairs — again — with the far-right, as any one member can force a House vote to overthrow the speaker.
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[1] Url:
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/mccarthy-faces-first-big-test-speaker-defusing-debt-ceiling-time-bomb-rcna80691
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