House Republicans Seek to Raise Debt Ceiling with Spending Cuts, Democrats Unlikely to Agree
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, has recently announced that the House will vote on a bill to raise the debt ceiling through the year while cutting government spending. However, most believe that Democrats and President Joe Biden are unlikely to agree to the proposal.[0] Like most Republicans, McCarthy will likely be forced to support legislation that raises the debt ceiling, but not without issuing some demands. McCarthy aims to reduce expenditure to the level of 2022 and limit the rate of subsequent spending to an annual growth of merely 1% over the next ten years.
Several House Republicans have already expressed their opposition to raising the debt limit under all circumstances, and McCarthy can only afford to lose four votes.[1] Some of the Republicans who have expressed their disagreement with the notion of an unconditional debt limit hike argue that Biden must agree to certain spending cuts in exchange for their votes on the debt ceiling.[1] Among the reductions they aim for are the elimination of almost $400 billion designated for promoting clean energy and fighting pollution as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, and termination of the student debt forgiveness provision in Biden's proposal.[1] Some Republicans have also targeted the roughly $80 billion recently approved to help the IRS pursue corporations and high-income earners that underpay taxes, although that move could add to the deficit since it may prevent the government from collecting money it is owed.[1]
McCarthy introduced a bill on Wednesday that proposes to increase the debt ceiling up to $1.5 trillion, or until March 31, 2024, whichever comes first. Contained within the 320-page document were measures to reduce spending by $4.5 trillion, which comprised of enhanced job obligations for beneficiaries of welfare initiatives, cancellation of unused pandemic funds, and prohibiting the pardoning of student loans.[2]
House Republicans have the chance to fulfill their Commitment to America by reducing expenditure and curbing the excessive power of the executive branch during this debate.[3] However, default on the national debt is not an option.[3] What type of agreement can be reached?[3] House Republicans should consider raising the debt ceiling in exchange for the approval of the REINS Act.[3]
It would be wise for Democrats to consider the proposal of exchanging the debt ceiling for the REINS Act, as it is a practical compromise that satisfies both political parties.[3] The progress being made by House Republicans towards finding a compromise is encouraging to us. The moment presents Congress with a chance to take action and curb our irresponsible expenditures. President Biden and Senate Democrats would be wise to engage in meaningful dialogue and work towards a comprehensive agreement.[3]
The current fiasco reflects the expenditure dispute that took place in 2011.[3] The “Tea party” faction of the Republican Party remained steadfast in their opposition to increasing the debt limit, while the Obama administration declined to reach a compromise.[3] Today, House Republicans are presenting a chance for mutual agreement, but the Biden administration appears disinterested in engaging in discussions to resolve the issue.
Republicans, in control of the House, are seeking to use the threat of a default on federal debt to enact spending cuts.[4] The White House and its Democratic allies are demanding a “clean” debt ceiling increase.[4]
Failure by Congress to raise the debt ceiling before summer would put the government in jeopardy of defaulting and causing a major economic downturn. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in January that if lawmakers don't raise the nation's borrowing limit by June, the federal government runs the risk of defaulting on its debt obligations. That would be catastrophic for the economy and put millions of jobs in jeopardy.[5]
The proposal entails measures that would significantly decrease government spending and deficits. This would be achieved primarily through the restriction of overall growth in specific categories of federal spending starting from 2022 levels. The ultimate budgetary measure involves regulating yearly optional expenses.[6] Spending in fiscal 2024 would be cut back to fiscal 2022 levels and then permitted to grow at only 1% annually over the budget window. It is projected that this will result in a decrease in expenditure of $3.6 trillion.[6] The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget in Washington has calculated that it could potentially decrease deficits by up to $4 trillion within the next 10 years.[7] Lawmakers have ignored spending caps in the past, so there is a possibility that the actual number could be smaller in the future.[7]
The crisis surrounding the debt ceiling is artificially created.[8] In 1917, a law was passed that set a cap on the funds that the U.S. government could borrow.[8] For decades, it was never a contentious issue that the figure had been increased 78 times since 1960.[8] It was only in the recent years that the right wing opted to utilize it as a leverage point to push for budget cuts. They first did this during the Obama administration after gaining control of Congress in 2010. Currently, with their new majority in the House, they are continuing this practice under the Biden administration.[8]
It is probable that the problem of the debt limit will be settled.[9] Throughout history, there has always been a resolution to increase the debt limit through deals.[9] However, the dangers posed to financial markets are severe.[9] Although the government has been able to function with the aid of “extraordinary measures” the debt limit was surpassed nearly three months ago.[9] It is worth mentioning that the ongoing discussion about the debt ceiling today bears similarities to that of 2011.[9]
0. “Debt Ceiling Impasse and CRE: Should You Worry Yet?” | Florida Realtors, 19 Apr. 2023, https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/news-articles/2023/04/debt-ceiling-impasse-and-cre-should-you-worry-yet
1. “How the Debt Ceiling Fight Could End According to History” TIME, 19 Apr. 2023, https://time.com/6273081/how-debt-ceiling-fight-could-end-congress-history/
2. “McCarthy denying student-debt relief to his own constituents: Cardona” Business Insider, 21 Apr. 2023, https://www.businessinsider.com/student-loan-forgiveness-banned-debt-ceiling-bill-mccarthy-denying-constituents-2023-4
3. “House GOP should trade the debt ceiling for REINS Act” The Hill, 18 Apr. 2023, https://thehill.com/opinion/congress-blog/3957723-house-gop-should-trade-the-debt-ceiling-for-reins-act/
4. “Opinion: If Kevin McCarthy’s tightrope act works, Democrats would face an agonizing choice” CNN, 21 Apr. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/21/opinions/kevin-mccarthy-democrats-debt-ceiling-brown/index.html
5. “Markets are starting to get worried about the debt ceiling” KDRV, 20 Apr. 2023, https://www.kdrv.com/news/national/markets-are-starting-to-get-worried-about-the-debt-ceiling/article_b1962bc7-bc4b-5ba4-92f7-f89151d6a6b2.html
6. “Debt Ceiling Legislation – AAF” American Action Forum, 21 Apr. 2023, https://www.americanactionforum.org/daily-dish/debt-ceiling-legislation/
7. “The Debt Ceiling Debate Is About More Than Debt” Yahoo News, 22 Apr. 2023, https://news.yahoo.com/debt-ceiling-debate-more-debt-141315015.html
8. “PSL Editorial: Right wing prepares “debt ceiling” attack – Will Biden capitulate? – Liberation News” Liberation, 20 Apr. 2023, https://www.liberationnews.org/psl-editorial-right-wing-prepares-debt-ceiling-attack-will-biden-capitulate/
9. “Debt Limit Risks Escalate As 2023 Deadline Nears” Forbes, 14 Apr. 2023, https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonmoore/2023/04/14/debt-limit-risks-escalate-as-2023-deadline-nears
