GOP Congress urges Biden to strike debt ceiling deal.

Republican Senators Stand in Solidarity with House Colleagues on Debt Ceiling Bill

At a joint press conference attended by about 40 GOP members of Congress, several Republican senators expressed their support for the Limit, Save, Grow Act. The bill, which was passed by the House in April, aims to raise the debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion for one year while limiting federal spending, strengthening work requirements for some recipients of federal benefits, clawing back unspent COVID-19 relief funds, and loosening restrictions on drilling for oil and gas.

Republicans Demand Spending Reforms

Members of the upper chamber also echoed the Republican talking point that they would not support raising the debt limit without a simultaneous agreement to reduce non-discretionary federal spending. “We won’t support bringing debate to a close on any debt ceiling increase that does not contain substantive spending and budgetary reforms,” said Sen. Mike Lee (R-Ariz.) at the press conference.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), vice chair of the Senate Republican caucus, also spoke at the event, stating that they are “united behind our House colleagues” and that she believed negotiators from the House and the Biden administration would be able to work out a deal.

McConnell Supports Deal Brokered by House Speaker and President Biden

Absent from the press event were Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Whip John Thune (R-S.D.), and Caucus Chair John Barrasso (R-Wy.). However, McConnell stated on May 9 that he would support any deal brokered by House Speaker Kevin McConnell (R-Calif.) and President Joe Biden. “The solution is between the one person in America who can sign a bill into law and the speaker of the House,” he said.

Key Points:

• The Limit, Save, Grow Act aims to raise the debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion for one year while limiting federal spending, strengthening work requirements for some recipients of federal benefits, clawing back unspent COVID-19 relief funds, and loosening restrictions on drilling for oil and gas.
• Republican senators demand spending reforms and will not support raising the debt limit without a simultaneous agreement to reduce non-discretionary federal spending.
• Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell supports any deal brokered by House Speaker Kevin McConnell and President Joe Biden.

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases