The upcoming debt-ceiling vote poses the first real test of the new but small Republican majority in the House. The Biden administration and Democrats will have little incentive to negotiate on the debt ceiling unless House Republicans are capable of passing a debt ceiling that contains reforms that the general public views as being reasonable and responsible. Simply casting an easy “no” vote on the debt ceiling will spawn a crisis that puts Democrats back in control of spending as Republicans are ultimately forced to break ranks and join the Democrats in raising the debt ceiling. Republicans can govern or protest, but if they protest, the Democrats will govern, the spending spree will continue and the debt will keep ballooning.
The challenge now for Republicans in the House is to put together 218 Republican votes to pass a debt ceiling with spending constraints that will be popular enough with the American public to force Mr. Biden and the Democrats to negotiate or acquiesce. There is a clear target for spending retrenchment that is timely, reasonable and appealing. Read More