House lawmakers to vote on debt ceiling bill
The House is expected to vote on a deal to increase the debt ceiling and limit spending Wednesday night, amid opposition from lawmakers on both ends of the political spectrum.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries will need both Republicans and Democrats to pass the bill to lift the debt ceiling a few days before the U.S. is expected to run out of money to pay its bills. The bipartisan agreement cleared the House Rules Committee Tuesday night, over the opposition of some conservatives.
The majority of the left wing of the Democratic Party is also likely to vote no, too, Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal and Whip Greg Casar told reporters Wednesday, although they added that the majority of the 100 members of the caucus do not want the nation to default.
The deal would suspend the debt limit until the first quarter of 2025, after the 2024 elections. Under the agreement, domestic, non-defense would be kept roughly flat for 2024, and in 2025, the bill allows a limited increase of 1%.
The measure also overhauls the nation's permitting laws and also specifically approves the remaining permits on a West Virginia natural gas pipeline championed by Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin. The bill rescinds unspent COVID-19 funds and adds work requirements for people on food assistance in their early 50s while eliminating work requirements for veterans and young people adults leaving the foster care system.
Some conservative Republicans say they'll vote against the legislation, accusing House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of caving to Democratic demands.
"Once you dissect the bill, this bill is un-American," GOP Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina told reporters Tuesday. "It defies conservatism. No Republican in good conscience should support this."
House Majority Whip Steve Scalise on Tuesday said his team was having conversations with Republican members and answering their questions as they read through the bill.
Some Democrats oppose the bill, too, and at least two Democratic House members have said they won't be in Washington for health reasons. Democratic Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota said she dislocated her ankle, while Democratic Rep. Deborah Ross of North Carolina said she tested positive for COVID-19.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen estimates the U.S. will run out of funds by June 5 without action on the debt limit.
White House officials and House Republican negotiators worked at the Capitol and White House in a series of lengthy sessions to hammer out the details of a deal since Mr. Biden reengaged on the issue, after insisting for months that he would not negotiate on raising the debt ceiling.
Once the House passes the bill, the Senate will take it up. On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the floor that senators should be prepared to move on this bill quickly once it is the Senate's turn to act.
"I cannot stress enough that we have no margin — no margin — for error," he said. "Either we proceed quickly and send this bipartisan agreement to the president's desk or the federal government will default for the first time ever." He instructed them in a letter earlier this week to "prepare for potential Friday and weekend votes."
— Caitlin Yilek, Zachary Hudak and Jack Turman contributed to this report.
How to watch the House voting on the debt ceiling deal
- What: The House of Representatives votes on a debt ceiling deal
- Date: May 31, 2023
- Time: After 7 p.m.
- Location: Capitol Hill
- Online stream: Live on CBS News streaming in the player above and on your mobile or streaming device.
Kathryn Watson is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital based in Washington, D.C.
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