McCarthy upset with Biden’s delay on debt, calls for end to overspending.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy Calls for an End to Democratic Spending Addiction

Republicans Demand Spending Cuts in Debt Ceiling Negotiations

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has stated that Democrats’ addiction to spending must be stopped. He made this comment to reporters on Capitol Hill on May 22, outlining the primary objective of negotiations with President Joe Biden over increasing the nation’s $31.4 trillion debt ceiling.

McCarthy has been clear since January that Congress would not do without an agreement to cut federal discretionary spending. Republicans passed the Limit, Save, Grow Act in April, which attached several conditions to an increase in the debt limit. These included tightening work requirements for some beneficiaries of Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), clawing back unspent COVID-19 relief funds, and loosening permitting requirements on drilling for oil and gas.

The speaker’s comments indicate that spending cuts are the most critical issue for Republicans. McCarthy previously stated that increased work requirements were also a “red line” in negotiations.

McCarthy expressed frustration that the president delayed entering into talks until recently, creating unnecessary urgency. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has said the nation will reach the debt ceiling on or shortly after June 1 unless it is increased by Congress.

Conclusion

Republicans are demanding spending cuts in debt ceiling negotiations, with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy calling for an end to Democratic spending addiction. The Limit, Save, Grow Act passed in April attached several conditions to an increase in the debt limit, including tightening work requirements for some beneficiaries of Medicaid and SNAP, clawing back unspent COVID-19 relief funds, and loosening permitting requirements on drilling for oil and gas. McCarthy has previously stated that increased work requirements were also a “red line” in negotiations.

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