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**Sen. Rand Paul to Introduce Conservative Alternative to Debt Ceiling Agreement**

Senator Rand Paul announced his intention to present a “conservative alternative” to the debt ceiling agreement struck between President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. With mounting concerns over government spending, Paul’s proposal aims to address the issue head-on while preventing a U.S. default on its debt.

The proposed amendment to the Fiscal Responsibility Act would grant only $500 billion to raise the debt ceiling, forcing a return to the negotiating table. Drawing on a CNN poll, Paul emphasized that the majority of Americans support raising the debt ceiling only if paired with simultaneous government spending cuts. His proposal involves replacing caps on discretionary spending with caps on total spending while cutting 5% of spending each year. This would slash a staggering $1.2 trillion in government spending by fiscal year 2028.

Other Republicans, including moderate Rep. Nancy Mace and the House Freedom Caucus, have publicly criticized the debt ceiling agreement. Mace argued that it “normalizes record high spending started during the pandemic” and “doesn’t actually set a debt limit.” Members of the Freedom Caucus lamented the supposed “betrayal of the power sharing arrangement” and even considered ousting McCarthy.

The widespread dissatisfaction among moderate and conservative Republicans, as well as progressive Democrats, raises questions about whether the deal will pass before the June 5 deadline.

**Paul’s Conservative Alternative Addresses Growing Concerns Over Government Spending**

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