The House of Representatives approved a bill on Wednesday to increase the national debt ceiling after days of rallying Republican lawmakers to support the package. This move is intended to fortify House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's standing during negotiations with the White House. The bill passed with a slim margin of 217-215, with four Republicans - Ken Buck, Andy Biggs, Tim Burchett, and Matt Gaetz - voting against it.
Although the bill is unlikely to pass in the Democratic-controlled Senate, its primary goal is to enhance Republicans' negotiation efforts with Democrats as the country faces a potential default deadline later this year. House Republicans supported their proposal to raise the borrowing limit and cut federal spending after leadership implemented last-minute changes to win over key GOP holdouts, a significant turnaround from their previous stance that the bill would remain unchanged.
After a private conference meeting on Wednesday, numerous conservatives and members from ethanol-producing states, who initially signaled opposition, began to support the bill. The shift in support followed changes to the legislation, such as accelerating proposed work requirements for Medicaid beneficiaries and removing the repeal of certain tax breaks for biofuels like ethanol.
Several Republican representatives, including members of the Iowa delegation and conservative congressmen, expressed their support for the bill following the amendments. However, some warned they would not back future versions that do not go as far.
Behind closed doors, McCarthy downplayed the last-minute changes and framed them as "technical changes" to address concerns from members. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer also defended the decision to make adjustments to the initial plan, stating that nothing of substance had changed in the bill.
Key McCarthy supporters emphasized the need for the bill to pass on Wednesday to strengthen their argument against the Democrats' lack of action on the issue. GOP Rep. Dusty Johnson explained that the strategy for winning over holdouts was to present this vote as a starting point for getting McCarthy and President Joe Biden to negotiate. However, Biden reiterated on Wednesday that he would not meet with McCarthy on extending the debt limit, stating it was "not negotiable."
Despite the president's refusal to negotiate, most Republicans in the conference remained optimistic about the bill's passage, with McCarthy urging members to approve it.
The passage of the bill in the House represents a crucial step for Republicans in their efforts to address the debt ceiling issue and engage in discussions with Democrats and the White House. Despite President Biden's current unwillingness to negotiate, House Republicans hope that their unified stance will eventually encourage productive conversations with the president and the Democratic-led Senate.
In light of the changes made to the legislation, several Republicans who had previously opposed the bill expressed their satisfaction with the adjustments. For instance, Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina announced her support for the debt ceiling vote, stating that she felt heard by the Speaker, who listened to her concerns.
The approval of the bill is a testament to the GOP's determination to address the nation's looming default deadline and showcases their willingness to negotiate with Democrats. Although the measure faces significant challenges in the Senate, Republicans hope that their collaborative approach will pave the way for future cooperation and compromise on the debt ceiling issue.
Ultimately, the passage of the bill marks the beginning of what could be a long and complex negotiation process between the two parties. House Republicans have demonstrated their commitment to finding a solution to the debt ceiling crisis, and they are now urging the White House and the Senate to engage in discussions to reach a mutually acceptable agreement.
