McCarthy defends debt ceiling deal despite GOP backlash, sees positives.

“There’s so much in this that’s positive,”

– Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.)

Amid backlash from his party, Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) defended his tentative debt ceiling agreement with President Joe Biden. During a May 28 appearance on Fox News Sunday, McCarthy praised the deal for its provisions cutting federal expenditures.

The Details of the Agreement

On the evening of May 27, McCarthy announced during a press conference that he and Biden had reached what he called “an agreement in principle that’s worthy of the American people” to raise the debt ceiling. In addition to raising the debt ceiling, the bill would:

• Cap non-defense spending at its previous levels
• Enhance work requirements for government assistance
• Reclaim unspent COVID-19 relief funds
• And more

However, some Republicans are unhappy with the deal. Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) called it a “surrender,” while Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) reiterated his demand for Republicans to “hold the line” on their demands and wait for a better deal. Others, like Reps. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), and Dan Bishop (R-N.C.) have also indicated their opposition to the broad outlines of the package.

McCarthy’s Defense

McCarthy suggested that these criticisms are mistaken, however. He praised the tentative deal for its provisions cutting federal expenditures and fully funding veterans and defense. He also highlighted the work requirements for cash welfare and food stamps.

McCarthy said the deal would also “streamline” the process of building new infrastructure. Where it currently can take years to get government authorization to build a new road, McCarthy said, the agreement would limit that review period to only a year.

“We’re gonna get America working again,” McCarthy said. “This is really a step in the right direction,” McCarthy said, contrasting this package with previous debt ceilings that saw no spending cuts. “It puts us on…”