2023-05-29 19:24:16
On a holiday in which the United States honors all the fallen members of its Armed Forces, congressmen and senators are studying the bill to raise the debt ceiling agreed between the White House and the Republicans, a rule that does not convince everyone and which will be voted on next Wednesday.
President Joe Biden participated this Monday in an act in the Arlington cemetery, in the US capital, in which he visited, together with the vice president, Kamala Harrisand the Secretary of Defense Lloyd AustinTomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Although gave a speech in which he called for unityhad no reference to the issue that has tensed politics to the maximum in recent weeks, the rise in the debt ceiling to avoid suspension of payments.
After announcing yesterday that he had reached a definitive agreement with the Republican leader in the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthythe bill was sent to congressmen and senators, and explained by the White House and by McCarthy himself to members of his party.
As the Treasury Secretary warned, Janet Yellenlast week, it will be June 5 when the US runs out of money to meet its payments.
Time is very tight since the law has to be approved by the House of Representatives, the Senate and signed by Biden himself before then. For this reason, the Executive and the Republicans have started to get it to go ahead on time.
According to White House sources quoted by the local press, on Monday and Tuesday the Biden executive will hold calls with House Democrats and there will be three meetings each day focused on energy policy or changes in assistance programs for needy families, some of which have been changed to meet Republican demands for cuts.
The briefings will be led by various White House officials, who will be tasked with getting party lawmakers to agree to the cuts, which Biden says have been necessary but protect his government’s “key priorities.”
The Axios portal publishes the guide that circulating among Democrats about the billa text in which it is stated that the “extreme demands” of the Republicans have not been accepted and in which they call for a yes vote.
“Democrats in the House of Representatives are working responsibly to avoid a devastating default on our debt (…) The extreme Republicans of MAGA (related to the former president Donald Trump) are recklessly threatening a job-killing recession,” the text states.
The process to approve the law will start tomorrow, when the Committee on Rules of the House of Representatives will meet, in charge of considering the bills, scheduling the votes and determining the debate.
This will be a key moment, since in the committee, with nine Republicans and four Democrats, are three of the most staunch conservatives, Tom Massie (Ky), Ralph Norman (S.C.) y Chip Roy (Texas), who have criticized the bill.
The latter has stated that he will try to stop it: “Before this agreement, the country was heading full speed toward bankruptcy… after this agreement, the country will continue to full speed toward bankruptcy,” he said.
However, McCarthy continues to affirm that he will have the support of the Republican majority in the House. In an interview with Fox News on Sunday, he said more than 95% of House Republicans are enthusiastic about the deal.
In total, 218 votes are needed for approval in the House of Representatives, which has 435 congressmen, 222 Republicans and 212 Democratss.
If the law is approved on Wednesday in the lower house, it could be voted on in the Senate as of Thursday. In the Upper House, Democrats have 51 seats compared to 49 for Conservatives and 60 “yes” are required for approval.
According to White House sources and a fact sheet distributed by Republicans, the deal will suspend the debt limit until January 1, 2025, after the 2024 presidential election.
The bill maintains non-defense spending in 2024 and increases it by just 1% in 2025, after adjustments were made.
Los cuts will not affect health programs or social securitybut yes to some social programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
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