House lawmakers are set to leave Washington for the Memorial Day Weekend without a debt limit deal unless the Senate would also discuss the matter in their chamber.
In a speech regarding federal spending and the debt limit, US House majority leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) told his congressional colleagues of the possibility of being called back if the deal on the debt limit is struck.
Scalise emphasized that the House had already voted to address the debt ceiling on April 26th, and the Republican benches also passed a bill that would "address the spending problem in Washington."
"[F]or more than four weeks, the Senate has not even taken action on that bill," he said. "If some due agreement is reached between President [Joe] Biden and Speaker [Kevin] McCarthy, members will receive 24 hours' notice in the event we need to return to Washington for any additional votes, either over the weekend or next week."
Scalise added that House members would have 72 hours to review any documents relating to the debt ceiling.
However, minority whip Katherine Clark (D-MA) criticized Scalise's comments regarding legislation recently approved by House Republicans to tie federal spending cuts to an increase in the debt limit.
"Every single member of the Democratic caucus has signed the discharge petition," she said. The Democrat side would need five more votes to pass their bill.
Scalise replied by suggesting the Democrat members convince their Senate colleagues to discuss and vote on the bill in their chamber.
"I'd encourage the Senate to take up the bill," he said. "I'd encourage the president to get engaged and address this problem."
