Kevin McCarthy gloats that ‘Democrats are very upset’ over debt limit deal
Ryan King
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Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) took a victory lap over the tentative debt ceiling deal, gloating that Democrats are not happy.
“Right now, the Democrats are very upset. The one thing Hakeem [Jeffries] told me — there’s nothing in the bill for them. There’s not one thing in the bill for Democrats,” McCarthy told Fox News Sunday.
BIDEN AND MCCARTHY’S TENTATIVE DEAL RAISES DEBT CEILING UNTIL 2025
Despite his frequent bragging of the GOP victories, McCarthy is staring down the prospect of numerous defections from members of his caucus who said that he caved too much. McCarthy shrugged off the defections, predicting that a “majority of Republicans” will vote in favor of the bill.
“Maybe it doesn’t do everything for everyone. But this is a step in the right direction that no one thought we would be at today,” McCarthy said.
Although rubbing his victories in a little, McCarthy contended that he is trying to cultivate a strong relationship with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).
“When I became speaker, I wanted Congress to work differently. So I wanted to treat Hakeem the way I wanted to be treated. So I talk to Hakeem every single week,” McCarthy said. “I just want to know what we’re working on. Everything doesn’t have to be political.”
Some members of the right flank of his caucus have complained that McCarthy didn’t lock down more concessions from Democrats. McCarthy shrugged off concerns that the GOP squandered its chief point of leverage with Democrats.
“We have the majority, we can govern and engage in anything they want to engage in, but what we have found since we’ve taken the majority, we changed this country,” McCarthy replied when pressed about those concerns.
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Under the agreement, which is set to be released later Sunday, lawmakers are seeking to lift the debt limit for about two years in exchange for rescinding unspent COVID-19 funds, substantially curbing spending growth, more stringent work requirements for social programs, and more.
McCarthy intends on giving members 72 hours to review the text of the legislation. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen recently bumped the “X-date” for when the government runs out of cash to foot all its bills to June 5.