McCarthy boasts that Dems are unhappy about debt limit agreement.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy Takes Victory Lap Over Tentative Debt Ceiling Deal

“Right now, the Democrats are very upset. The one thing Hakeem [Jeffries] told me — there’s nothing in the bill for them. There’s not one thing in the bill for Democrats,”

Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is basking in the glory of the tentative debt ceiling deal, relishing the fact that Democrats are not happy. Despite some members of his caucus criticizing him for caving too much, McCarthy remains confident that a “majority of Republicans” will vote in favor of the bill.

Under the agreement, which is set to be released later Sunday, lawmakers are seeking to lift the debt limit for about two years in exchange for rescinding unspent COVID-19 funds, substantially curbing spending growth, more stringent work requirements for social programs, and more.

McCarthy’s Relationship with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries

Although McCarthy is rubbing his victories in a little, he contends that he is trying to cultivate a strong relationship with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY). “When I became speaker, I wanted Congress to work differently. So I wanted to treat Hakeem the way I wanted to be treated. So I talk to Hakeem every single week,” McCarthy said. “I just want to know what we’re working on. Everything doesn’t have to be political.”

Concerns from the Right Flank of His Caucus

Some members of the right flank of his caucus have complained that McCarthy didn’t lock down more concessions from Democrats. McCarthy shrugged off concerns that the GOP squandered its chief point of leverage with Democrats. “We have the majority, we can govern and engage in anything they want to engage in, but what we have found since we’ve taken the majority, we changed this country,” McCarthy replied when pressed about those concerns.

72 Hours to Review the Text of the Legislation

McCarthy intends on giving members 72 hours to review the text of the legislation. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen recently bumped the “X-date” for when the government runs out of cash to foot all its bills to June 5.

Despite not doing everything for everyone, McCarthy believes that this is a step in the right direction that no one thought they would be at today. Click here to read more from the Washington Examiner.

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