The bipartisan debt ceiling deal brokered by Joe Biden and Kevin McCarthy has passed an important hurdle – but still faces condemnation from far-right Republicans.
The deal goes to the full House of Representatives for debate and an expected vote on passage today (May 31) after McCarthy, the Republican speaker of the House, had insisted that supporting the deal would be “easy” for his party.
The House rules committee voted 7-6 to allow debate by the full chamber, with two committee Republicans opposing the bill.
Their opposition highlights how Democrats will probably be needed to pass the measure in the House, which is controlled with a narrow majority by Republicans.
McCarthy said he was not worried the agreement would fail despite loud denunciations from the Republican right and even those closer to the centre.
READ MORE: Joe Biden says debt-ceiling deal ‘ready for congress’ despite opposition
McCarthy said the two-year agreement includes spending freezes and rescinding Internal Revenue Service funding, while military and veterans spending remains untouched.
The Guardian reported that negotiators fielded by McCarthy and Biden agreed the deal to raise the $31.4tn US debt ceiling in the knowledge that a default would likely have catastrophic consequences for the US and world economies.
The treasury secretary, Janet Yellen, has said that would happen on June 5 if no bill was passed.
However, members of the far-right House Freedom Caucus have criticised the deal, with Chip Roy of Texas, calling it a “turd sandwich”.
“Right now, it ain’t good,” he told reporters.
Nancy Mace of South Carolina, said on Twitter: “Washington is broken. Republicans got outsmarted by a president who can’t find his pants. I’m voting no on the debt ceiling debacle because playing the DC game isn’t worth selling out our kids and grandkids.”
Republicans control the House by 222-213. More than 20 Republicans have said they would vote against the deal with Donald Trump insisting the party should let default happen if Biden does not cave.
Such moves could leave McCarthy needing Democratic support to pass the bill. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said his party would help it pass.
“My expectation is House Republicans will keep their commitment to produce at least two-thirds of their conference which is approximately 150 votes,” Jeffries said.
“Democrats are committed to making sure we do our part in avoiding default.”
Budget director Shalanda Young said the White House “strongly urged” Congress to pass the bill.
A White House spokesperson said Biden was having conversations with both progressive and moderate Democrats ahead of a House vote planned for later today (May 31).
