A number of leading conservative lawmakers are ripping the debt ceiling deal House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) struck with President Joe Biden, characterizing it as yet another cave-in by GOP leaders to Democrat whims.
Though many of the details are still being worked out, both leaders still have to convince their respective party members to ultimately vote for it.
“There are members of the GOP claiming Democrats got nothing from the ‘deal.’ Oh really? 1) An uncapped debt ceiling with an expiration date – worth approximately $4 trillion…? 2) basically no cuts – a freeze at bloated 2023 spending level?” Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), a House Freedom Caucus member, tweeted. “ZERO claw back of the $1.2 Trillion ‘inflation reduction act’ crony giveaways to elite leftists for grid-destroying unreliable energy…? 4) 98% of the IRS expansion left fully in place…? 5) no work requirements for Medicaid? – & only age adjustments for TANF/SNAP…?”
THREAD: There are members of the GOP claiming Democrats got nothing from the “deal.” Oh really? 1) An uncapped debt ceiling with an expiration date – worth approximately $4 trillion…? 2) basically no cuts – a freeze at bloated 2023 spending level? #DebtCeiling (1/3)
— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) May 28, 2023
“No REINS act statutory requirement for congress to approve huge regulations – just an ‘administrative’ paygo that the administration will get to enforce? 7) No border security!! – & a deal allowing them to avoid policy riders in the fall… 8) more…” he noted further.
Sen. Mike Lee of Utah quipped in response: “With Republicans like these, who needs Democrats?”
With Republicans like these, who needs Democrats? https://t.co/EFpSkh2N8q
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) May 28, 2023
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky added: “Fake conservatives agree to fake spending cuts. Deal will increase mandatory spending ~5%, increase military spending ~3%, and maintain current non-military discretionary spending at post-COVID levels. No real cuts to see here. Conservatives have been sold out once again!”
Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, meanwhile, responded to a quote from McCarthy, who said: “Right now, the Democrats are very upset. The one thing [Hakeem Jeffries] told me, there is nothing in the bill for them – there is not one thing in the bill for Democrats.”
Cruz noted: “He’s right. There’s not ‘one thing’ for Dems. There are $4 trillion things—a blank check—for Democrats. Plus 87,000 things: new IRS agents to harass Americans. All in exchange for eliminating virtually ALL of the House’s spending cuts.”
He’s right. There’s not “one thing” for Dems.
There are $4 trillion things—a blank check—for Democrats.
Plus 87,000 things: new IRS agents to harass Americans.
All in exchange for eliminating virtually ALL of the House’s spending cuts. 🤦♂️ https://t.co/7OnaHFePeW
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) May 28, 2023
Noted Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.): “This pretty much says it all. Democrats got everything they wanted with this bill and don’t have to defend their reckless spending prior to the 2024 election. It’s a win for them.”
