04.18.2023

Speaker McCarthy Still Has No Plan To Avoid A Catastrophic Default

HOUSE REPUBLICANS DON’T SUPPORT MCCARTHY FRAMEWORK, SAY PLAN “DOESN’T EVEN EXIST”

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL): “We still have to resolve major questions like the dollar amount, and the duration, and the policy concessions we are seeking from the Senate. So it couldn’t possibly have 218 votes, because it doesn’t even exist.” [Politico, 4/18/23]

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN): “I’m still a no.” [WSJ, 4/18/23]

Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ): “Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), a former chair of the right-wing Freedom Caucus, said McCarthy's proposal to keep nondiscretionary, nondefense at 2022 levels is a ‘long ways away’ from his demand to bring it down to pre-pandemic levels. ‘I’m not at the table. And I get it, McCarthy’s pissed that I ran against him, so I don’t get invited to any of these deals,’ said Biggs, ‘But I think it’s unfortunate that he doesn’t want to hear from everybody.” [Axios, 4/18/23]

House Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry (R-PA): “I don’t know what’s in the package completely, that’s the issue,” Perry told reporters. “I know what was on the screen, but I don’t think that’s the entire package.” [CNN, 4/18/23]

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL): “I think that they should go further. ... I am in favor of very aggressive cuts.” [Axios, 4/18/23]

Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO): “I just didn't run for Congress to raise the debt ceiling, so ... it’s not something I’m excited about.” [Axios, 4/18/23]

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC): “I’m not there yet,” Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) said, adding that she wants more GOP policy goals included as leverage before McCarthy shows his party’s offer to Democrats. “We have to have a plan. You’re going to walk into the debt ceiling vote without a plan? That’s not going to bode well for the outcome.” [Politico, 4/18/23]

Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA): “There is no ‘this.’ We’re discussing what the ‘this’ will be.”[AP, 4/18/23]

Rep. Dan Bishop (R-NC): “We ain’t there yet.” [The Hill, 4/18/23]

REPORT AFTER REPORT: REPUBLICANS DON’T THINK MCCARTHY FRAMEWORK HAS SUPPORT OF ENOUGH REPUBLICANS TO PASS HOUSE

Punchbowl News: “There’s very serious doubt inside GOP leadership that this proposal can garner 218 GOP votes. No Democrats will support it, of course. And if McCarthy can’t push it through, that significantly strengthens the White House and Senate Democrats’ hand.” [Punchbowl News AM, 4/18/23]

Washington Post: “But [Arkansas Republican Rep. Steve] Womack and other Republicans acknowledged that the ‘real question’ is if their own party can shore up the 218 votes needed in the House to pass a bill.” [Washington Post, 4/17/23]

Washington Post: “But a significant portion of the GOP framework remains unresolved, including exactly how much to cut. Some Republicans have sought what they describe as ‘structural reforms,’ including additional curbs on spending if debt becomes too great a percentage of gross domestic product, a measure of national economic output, one of the sources said. Many GOP lawmakers and aides admit it is not even clear whether their emerging plan can actually attract 218 votes — the number needed for passage — at the time of its introduction. The uneasiness reflects persistent divisions in a fractious conference with 222 votes, a four-vote advantage, which struggled only three months ago to elect a House speaker. ‘I don’t expect unanimous consent as far as getting 218 votes right off the bat,’ said Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), a member of the House Freedom Caucus.” [Washington Post, 4/15/23]

CNN: “Republicans are not yet unified on the emerging plan, with one source familiar with the talks saying some of the more conservative members have pushed for more measures – such as tougher border security provisions and a repeal of green energy tax credits – and some of the more moderate members have raised concerns over proposed changes to Medicaid.” [CNN, 4/16/23]

###