Four GOP Holdouts Explain Why They Voted Against McCarthy-Championed Debt Ceiling Bill

The GOP-led House recently passed a debt ceiling plan, but four House Republicans voted against it and are now speaking out about why they oppose the bill. Reps. Matt Gaetz, Andy Biggs, Tim Burchett, and Ken Buck joined the majority of Democrats in opposing the legislation that would suspend the debt limit until it rises by $1.5 trillion or until March 31, 2024. Gaetz’s office released a statement saying that he has consistently voted against raising the debt ceiling and advocated for tightened work requirements for social safety net programs. Biggs faulted the legislation for not reducing the national debt and failing to be more aggressive in spending. Burchett touted how he has never voted to raise the debt limit, “no matter who was in charge.” Buck referenced how the Congressional Budget Office projected the proposal would slash federal deficits by $4.8 trillion over 10 years, saying that would still leave the United States with $53 trillion debt during that time period. Although the bill passed the House, it faces long odds as it heads to the Senate, which is controlled by Democrats.