With June 5 as the deadline to avoid default in the United StatesDemocrats and Republicans mobilized their ranks on Monday to overcome internal reluctance and approve the bill to raise the debt ceiling.
The bill reached between the Democratic president Joe Biden and the Republican leader in the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, was announced on Sunday and has been sent to congressmen and senators for their study before put it to a vote this week.
While representatives of both parties seek approval of the bill, radical Republicans in both chambers have criticized the dealwhich could indicate a possible scenario for a contentious showdown on Tuesday in the House Rules Committee, which is scheduled to consider the bill before an expected vote in the full House on Wednesday.
Rep. Ralph Norman called the deal “insanity” and said the bill has “virtually no cuts,” while Rep. Chip Roy, Republican of Texasissued a torrent of tweets calling the deal a “shit sandwich”.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said the deal contained “false spending cuts.”
“The Conservatives have sold out once again!” he tweeted.
Despite the criticism, some are confident the bill will succeed.
“There is no doubt about that. I’ve talked to dozens of members, and listen, not all members are on board. But when was the last time every member of Congress agreed on something?” Rep. Dusty Johnson, RS.D., chair of the center-right Main Street Caucus, told reporters.
Controversial legislation extends debt limit by two years and pairs it with a two-year budget deal that modestly reduces non-defense spending and increases military spending to $886 billion, the same amount Biden requested for next year.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, RS.C., called the bill a “defense catastrophe.” and said Biden’s Pentagon spending figure was inadequate, further threatening to delay the bill in the chamber.
If the House passes the bill on Wednesday, the Senate would have five days to pass it before the June 5 deadline next Monday.
Although House progressives remained silent for most of Monday, some privately told NBC their disappointment with the deal’s provisions, including expanding the job requirements for Americans age 50 and 55 to obtain federal benefits such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
They are also unhappy that the bill would expedite the Mountain Valley pipeline and permit review for energy and infrastructure projects.
Congressional Progressive Caucus chair Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., said the workplace rules are “bad policy” that doesn’t help reduce unemployment.
Keep reading:
• The White House and congressional Republicans reach an agreement on the debt ceiling
• What does the US debt ceiling agreement say?
• Secretary of the Treasury warns that the US must raise the debt ceiling before June 5
Source: La Opinion
