UPDATE: Sunday, May 28, 2023 · 6:11:20 AM +00:00 · kos
As I’ve been saying in the comments, House Republicans thought they’d use the budget appropriations process to take a hatchet to a lot of the Democratic priorities. This deal obviates all of that. McCarthy just neutered his House caucus.
A new debt ceiling deal has been struck. Full details haven’t been released, and congressional Democrats won’t be briefed by the administration until Sunday night. But the counters are reported as follows:
- Non-defense discretionary spending only goes up 1% this year. Non-enforceable limits on appropriations beyond this year.
- IRS funding to go after tax cheats redirected toward domestic programs to avert cuts.
- New work requirements for food assistance (a GOP demand), raising the age of non-dependent recipients to 54 from 49, exempting veterans and the homeless.
- Medicaid left untouched. The GOP budget recently passed added work requirements to that program (and others) as well
- Deal will last for two years, beyond next presidential election
White House talking points brag about all the painful cuts averted.
House Republican nihilists are apoplectic.
The initial read is that these were cuts that would’ve happened during the regular budget appropriations negotiation process anyway. Republicans certainly see it that way.
The big question is whether the House nihilists move to boot McCarthy from the speakership. Their problem, of course, is a lack of viable alternative. No one wants the job, and of those who do, only McCarthy (barely) got the votes.
The House will also need Democratic votes to pass the compromise legislation, but will Republicans even get a majority of their caucus?
Gerrymandering won Republicans the House, and Boebert almost lost her safe red district. They don’t have the leverage they think they do, but the fact they believe it makes them dangerous.
One more point before I close out for the night: Pushing the next debt limit fight until after the 2024 election is a huge concession to the Democrats. House Republicans wanted this hostage again right before next year’s elections.
Get ready for war.
