3 Republicans could complicate McCarthy’s week amid debt limit crisis.

Three Powerful Republicans Could Derail Debt Deal Despite Biden-McCarthy Agreement

As part of his campaign to secure the speaker’s gavel earlier this year, McCarthy promised changes to the House Rules Committee, or “the speaker’s committee” — a pledge that was pivotal to him gaining the votes of Reps. Chip Roy (R-TX) and Ralph Norman (R-SC), who were among the last holdouts. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) was also given a seat on the committee.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s (R-CA) week could be made difficult by three powerful Republican colleagues, despite striking a deal with President Joe Biden. The House Rules Committee, also known as “the speaker’s committee,” determines which bills to schedule for consideration on the floor. With nine Republicans and four Democrats currently seated on the committee, three conservatives could sink the debt deal, as all four blue members are expected to vote against it.

Who Are the Three Republicans?

• Chip Roy (R-TX) has already been critical of the deal, stating that he plans to “hold the line” when it comes to the passage of the debt plan.
• Ralph Norman (R-SC) called the deal “insanity” in the final stages of negotiations and tweeted that he “is not gonna vote to bankrupt our country.”
• Thomas Massie (R-KY) remains undecided on the legislation and could be the swing vote on the Rules Committee.

If three of the GOP members vote against the bill, the only path for approval is if one of the minority members crosses party lines, which is highly unlikely. The Democratic members include Reps. Jim McGovern (D-MA), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), Joe Neguse (D-CO), and Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM).

Massie tweeted on Monday that lawmakers “have a chance to control spending more transparently and precisely using powerful Congressional tools such as the upcoming appropriations bills.” It remains to be seen whether he will support the debt deal or not.

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