Sen. Lindsey Graham threatened to "undo" the bipartisan debt ceiling deal and its "disaster" for America's defense.
Graham repeated his Sunday criticism of the deal's defense spending, calling it "welcome news to China" and said it contradicted Democrats' and Republicans' screaming about the expansion and increasing danger of China.
Sen. Lindsey Graham Signals Opposition to Debt Deal
The senator warned House Speaker Kevin McCarthy against reducing defense to reach a debt ceiling compromise, as per Fox News. Biden and McCarthy achieved a debt ceiling agreement late Sunday, preventing a catastrophic US default days before a June 5 deadline. The House measure was issued later that evening.
The accord raises defense expenditure by 3% next year, less than the current inflation rate of almost 4%. It would also expand the debt ceiling by two years and maintain non-defense expenditure flat in 2024 and 1% in 2025. On Tuesday at 3 p.m., the House Rules Committee will prepare the debt ceiling bill for discussion on Wednesday.
According to Washington Examiner, the South Carolina lawmaker stated, "Not only will I vote "no," but I will not be intimidated on June 5."
Graham was extremely critical of some of the spending provisions included in the debt ceiling compromise. In particular, he criticized a "minor" provision that would reduce the number of IRS agents at the expense of the United States Navy.
Graham has joined other congressional Republicans in opposing the legislation, which McCarthy and his team of negotiators characterized as a "transformative" compromise. McCarthy stated that he intends to conduct a vote on the legislation on Wednesday as efforts to garner House Republican support continue.
Congress Races to Secure Votes
Meanwhile, congressional leaders must find the votes to adopt a bipartisan accord to avoid a catastrophic debt default. Both parties' leaders rallied Monday to endorse the package amid internal concerns. Republican hard-liners in both chambers sniped at the arrangement, setting the stage for a tense battle Tuesday in the House Rules Committee, which will debate the bill before a Wednesday House vote.
Two GOP sources claimed McCarthy allies promoted unreleased Congressional Budget Office figures offered to those in Republican leadership. Per NBC News, the Biden-McCarthy debt ceiling measure would slash $2.1 trillion in expenditure over six years if the benchmarks are fulfilled, but only two years are binding.
The plan would extend the debt ceiling for two years and include a two-year budget pact that would slightly lower nondefense expenditure and increase military spending to $886 billion, the amount Biden asked for next year.
House progressives conducted a Monday afternoon teleconference to discuss the legislation and next steps in silence. Several privately expressed dissatisfaction with measures, including raising job requirements for government assistance like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families from 50 to 55.
They also oppose the bill's acceleration of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, a natural gas pipeline under construction from northwestern West Virginia to southern Virginia, and energy and infrastructure project permits. House Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., called work restrictions a "poor policy" that wouldn't lower unemployment.
Related Article : Russia Issues Arrest Warrant for Lindsey Graham
