Sen. Lee claims GOP can block “clean” debt ceiling and make Dems negotiate with more than enough votes.

Senator Mike Lee: Republicans Have Enough Votes to Block “Clean” Debt Ceiling Increase

Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) appeared on Fox News’s “Sunday Morning Futures” to discuss the debt ceiling increase. He stated that 45 Republicans, including himself, would vote against a bill that raises the debt ceiling without meaningful spending reforms. Lee believes that the conference will hold firm and that the number of Republicans is more than enough to block Democrats from passing a “clean” debt ceiling bill.

Republicans United Against Debt Ceiling Increase

Lee said that 43 Republicans signed a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) declaring their opposition to a clean debt ceiling bill, and two more promised to back the effort without signing the letter. In total, there are 45 Republicans who will vote to prevent ending the debate on a clean debt ceiling bill.

Furthermore, Lee said the conference would remain united to oppose the debt limit increase. “We’ve got 43 Republican Senators who have signed this letter pledging to do exactly as I just described, and then we’ve got two more who for strategic reasons didn’t want to sign, but indicated that they will stand with us in the votes, [and] a couple of others who may yet decide to join us,” said Lee. “So that’s more than enough. Even if we lost one or two here or there, we’d still be fine, and I don’t think we’re gonna lose any of them.”

Republicans Call for Spending Cuts and Budget Reform

Lee led a group of 43 Senate Republicans who sent a letter to Schumer on Saturday opposing a clean debt ceiling increase. “The Senate Republican conference is united behind the House Republican conference in support of spending cuts and structural budget reform as a starting point for negotiations on the debt ceiling,” the Senators wrote.

“Our economy is in free fall due to unsustainable fiscal policies. This trajectory must be addressed with fiscal reforms. Moreover, recent Treasury projections have reinforced the urgency of addressing the debt ceiling. The House has taken a responsible first step in coming to the table with their proposals. It is imperative that the president now do the same. As such, we will not be voting for cloture on any bill that raises the debt ceiling without substantive spending and budget reforms.”

Takeaway

Senator Mike Lee and 44 other Republicans are standing firm against a “clean” debt ceiling increase. They are calling for spending cuts and budget reform as a starting point for negotiations on the debt ceiling. With the Senate filibuster, Lee believes that the number of Republicans is more than enough to block Democrats from passing a “clean” debt ceiling bill.

• 45 Republicans, including Lee, will vote against a bill that raises the debt ceiling without meaningful spending reforms
• 43 Republicans signed a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) declaring their opposition to a clean debt ceiling bill, and two more promised to back the effort without signing the letter
• The Senate Republican conference is united behind the House Republican conference in support of spending cuts and structural budget reform as a starting point for negotiations on the debt ceiling

It remains to be seen how negotiations will proceed, but Republicans are standing firm in their call for fiscal reforms.

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