In his State of the Union address, President Biden tore Republicans apart over his efforts to use the national debt ceiling as leverage to extract spending cuts from Democrats.
“Some of my Republican friends want to hold the economy hostage unless they agree with their economic plan. I understand that.”
“Next month, when I turn in my financial plans, I’m going to ask my Republican friends to plan too. I really mean it.”
Republicans have yet to unite on a concrete plan to cut spending and reduce debt in exchange for higher borrowing limits. With only four months left before the Treasury Department runs out of ways to avoid a default, Republicans, let alone Democrats, have less time to find common ground with each other.
budget cap
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-California) agreed last month to balance the budget within a decade as part of a concession he made with Republican rebels to secure the Speaker’s gavel. expressed support for the new discretionary funding limits.
Many Republicans have turned to non-defense programs as a way to cut spending and keep non-Social Security and Medicare spending at FY2023 levels.
“The Speaker of the House has shown a commitment to what we agreed to fight to ensure spending is capped,” said Rep. Chip Roy, one of the most vocal conservatives calling for deep cuts. (Texas) told Hill.
“He has made it very clear that we need a cap, and we plan to cap spending in 2024.”
However, there were concerns among Republicans amid discussions of the budget cap over how it would affect defense spending, which accounts for much of what the government spends outside entitlement programs.
work requirements
There has been chatter about the work requirements of safety net programs, particularly Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), since the early days.
Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) told the semaphore He said he began “socializing” pitches to other Republicans, including Medicaid job requirements.
Others have expressed an openness to the idea.
“Generally, I think able-bodied people who don’t have small children and meet all the criteria should look for a job,” moderate Republican Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska told The Hill. idea.
Gaetz also led a group of five conservatives—Andy Biggs (Arizona), Dan Bishop (North Carolina), Lauren Boebert (Colorado), and Norman. in a letter to Biden Ahead of Tuesday’s speech, he urged SNAP “structural reforms” to cut spending amid negotiations.
Neither pitch is likely to go anywhere in the Democratic-led Senate.
COVID-19 Relief Fund
Some Republicans are seeking to reclaim unused COVID-19 pandemic relief funds from state governments as they plan next steps in negotiations.
Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma), chairman of the House Rules Committee, said: told NBC News He said the idea “should be on the agenda” and “could certainly fit” into the legislative deal Republicans hope to strike with Democrats in the coming months.
But some Republicans fear they may face legal hurdles and face opposition from Democratic lawmakers.
Qualification
Biden on Tuesday took aim at Republicans over proposed reforms of programs such as Social Security and Medicare, accusing him of wanting to cut programs in remarks that sparked an immediate Republican backlash.
“Some Republicans want Social Security and Medicare abolished,” Biden told a heckler from Republicans.President Rick Scott to repeal all federal laws in five years Seemed to refer to a proposal by a member of Congress (Republican-Florida).
Shortly after Biden’s remarks on Tuesday, Scott addressed the president’s comments, saying they confused him while doubling down on his proposal. kept a distance from last year.
“In my plan, I proposed: Within five years, all federal laws will be repealed. If the law is worth keeping, Congress can pass it again,” Scott said. said.
The exchange comes as Republican leaders seek to allay concerns that Republican lawmakers will target Social Security and Medicare in debt ceiling negotiations, which McCarthy personally ruled out.
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