As news that Republican leadership reached a deal with Democrats to raise the debt ceiling on Sunday, Sen. Rand Paul joined other Republicans in saying that the supposed spending cuts in the agreement were “fake” and that fiscal conservatives had been “sold out.”
Fake conservatives agree to fake spending cuts. Deal will increase mandatory spending ~5%, increase military spending ~3%, and maintain current non-military discretionary spending at post-COVID levels. No real cuts to see here.
Conservatives have been sold out once again!
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) May 28, 2023
The bill’s text has not been released as of this report. Rep.Thomas Massie noted the absurdity of the length of the legislation and the minimal time given for members to read it.
Bill text is king, and bill text hasn’t been released yet.
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) May 28, 2023
We believe we will have 72 hours to read the bill.
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) May 28, 2023
Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy told reporters Sunday morning that both sides would be disappointed with the bill because they will not be getting everything they wanted.
“We’re finalizing an agreement with the president that I believe is worthy of the American people,” McCarthy said. “It doesn’t get everything everybody wanted.”
“But that’s, in divided government, that’s where we end up,” McCarthy added. “I think it’s a very positive bill.”
Rep. Chip Roy addressed the notion that Democrats weren’t getting anything in this deal, making a list of items on which he believes that simply isn’t true.
…3) ZERO claw back of the $1.2 Trillion “inflation reduction act” crony giveaways to elite leftists for grid-destroying unreliable energy…? 4) 98% of the IRS expansion left fully in place…? 5) no work requirements for Medicaid? – & only age adjustments for TANF/SNAP…? (2/3)
— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) May 28, 2023
…6) no REINS act statutory requirement for congress to approve huge regulations – just an “administrative” paygo that the administration will get to enforce? 7) No border security!! – & a deal allowing them to avoid policy riders in the fall… 8) more… (3/3) /end
— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) May 28, 2023
Rep. Dan Bishop echoed Roy.
“McCarthy called the deal a ‘big win,’ claiming Democrats didn’t get “one thing” that they wanted out of the negotiations.”
… except increasing debt another $4 trillion …
… and to bear no responsibility for it in the 2024 election season.
Except for those little things. pic.twitter.com/MmG3LNuAnr
— Rep. Dan Bishop (@RepDanBishop) May 28, 2023
In mid-May, Sen. Paul said of the ongoing debt ceiling discussions, “You know there always is a deal reached. I have never heard of us not raising the debt ceiling.”
“But I think it’s important that when we raise the debt ceiling we do something about the enormous debt, and the spending that has really gotten us in so much trouble,” Paul said.
With a looming $31 trillion national debt, Paul said the U.S. spends trillions over budget every year.
“What does that mean in practical purposes?” he asked. “It means the Federal Reserve buys it, creates new currency and causes inflation. So when everybody goes to the grocery store and they see their wages not going as far because the grocery prices are going up, the rent goes up, the gasoline goes up.”
“This is because government doesn’t live within its means,” Paul insisted. “So the debt ceiling forces us to have that discussion.”
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