News

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy Makes Concessions To GOP Hardliners In Debt-Limit Budget

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-California) and other top Republicans amended their bill to limit the national debt late Tuesday night. The overnight changes came after several statements by McCarthy suggested that the legislation was already in its final form.

A looming default crisis threatens to ensue if Republicans and Democrats don’t agree to raise the debt limit in the next few weeks.

“Last-minute changes are no way to run a railroad,” Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida), one of the members that the changes attempted to satisfy, told reporters on Wednesday.

The changes include a new work requirement for Medicaid recipients – expanding the workable age from 50 to 56. All Medicaid beneficiaries under 56 would have to prove they work at least 20 hours to receive benefits if passed. Another change included restoring tax breaks for biofuels like ethanol.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

The bill is heading to the House floor as early as Wednesday. The negotiations are McCarthy’s biggest legislative test since he was voted Speaker. McCarthy can only stand to lose four votes in the House or face defeat.

Republicans have criticized Democrats for driving up the national debt, though most of the debt increase occurred under GOP control of Congress and the White House.

The GOP is attempting to cut back on spending, but their slim majority has made finding cut-worthy programs difficult.

The bill, which proposes major cuts to domestic programs in the federal budget, will be “dead on arrival” in the Senate – according to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York). Schumer said the bill should be renamed the “Default On America Act.”

Ben Shimkus

Recent Posts

Comedian Amber Ruffin Slams Trump – Again – After Being Cut As Host Of White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Comedian Amber Ruffin slammed the Trump administration yet again after she was cut as the…

4 hours ago

Trump Signs Order Putting JD Vance In Charge Of Removing ‘Improper Ideology’ From ‘Woke’ National Zoo & Smithsonian

President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing Vice President JD Vance to work to…

11 hours ago

Trump Fires National Security Council Staffers After Meeting With Conspiracy Theorist Laura Loomer

President Donald Trump has fired White House National Security Council (NSC) staffers after being encouraged…

1 day ago

VIDEO: Kamala Harris Takes Swipe At Elon Musk After His Wisconsin Election Loss

https://youtu.be/KjtUgU3K7Aw Former Vice President Kamala Harris swiped at Elon Musk after a Democratic-backed candidate won…

2 days ago

Trump Places ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs On Several Uninhabited Islands Whose Only Residents Are Penguins

President Donald Trump placed tariffs on almost 90% of nations, including some uninhabited areas, during…

2 days ago

VIDEO: Trump Announces Huge Tariffs On All Imports – Economists Say It Will Lead To A Recession

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/t4Yuj5JQkT8 Supporters of President Donald Trump cheered as he unveiled a sweeping set of tariffs…

3 days ago