The NPR Politics Podcast McCarthy Debuts Spending Cuts — But May Lack Votes To Pass Them
Apr 19, 2023
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is pushing for federal spending cuts in exchange for raising the borrowing limit, but faces significant opposition within his own party. This raises concerns about the Republican caucus's unity and the potential consequences of a debt default. The podcast dives into the complexities of the debt ceiling negotiations, examines the divide between congressional members, and highlights President Biden's response to McCarthy's proposals. Can McCarthy rally enough support to navigate this fiscal tightrope?
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D.C. Trip
- Deirdre Walsh gave a tour of the U.S. Capitol to a middle school group from Encinitas, California.
- The students visited the press room and were excited about their D.C. trip.
McCarthy's Focus
- House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's focus is on maintaining his narrow Republican majority, which he secured after 15 rounds of voting.
- McCarthy has delivered on some promises like reopening the House, allowing amendment votes, and launching investigations, but major bipartisan bills are yet to be seen.
Challenges Ahead
- The Republican majority hasn't passed much legislation, which is expected in divided government.
- Key issues like the debt ceiling, immigration, and the economy need to be addressed, especially to appeal to the Republican base.