**Senate Approves Debt Ceiling Bill as Conservatives Cry Foul**
The Senate passed the debt ceiling bill with a 63-36 vote, resulting from a deal between Joe Biden and Kevin McCarthy. This comes after an intense partisan standoff in Washington and despite strong opposition from some Republicans. As disputes continue, will the motion to vacate play a role in holding McCarthy accountable?
The debt ceiling bill, agreed upon by Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden, has been passed by the Senate with a 63-36 vote. The bill now awaits Biden’s approval before becoming a law. However, not all Republicans are satisfied with the outcome.
According to Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), the bill fails to address the record-high spending that began during the pandemic, suspends the debt ceiling until 2025 without a cap, and fails to make the promised cuts to the IRS. Mace believes these problems demonstrate weakness in Republican negotiations and prove they were “outsmarted” by Biden.
Many concerns arise from the bill’s implications, including the hiring of 87,000 new IRS agents who may target working-class Americans and conservative groups. The initial “Inflation Reduction Act” allocated $79.6 billion to the IRS over the next ten years, which critics argue is excessive. Moves to reduce or revoke funding for the IRS have not been made as promised.
The debt deal’s passage has led some members of Congress to consider a motion to vacate against House Speaker McCarthy. If brought forth, the motion only needs a simple majority vote to remove McCarthy from his position. With growing discontent among conservatives, it will be interesting to see if they attempt to hold McCarthy accountable for his perceived failures by taking this route.
**Will Conservatives Stand Their Ground in the Face of Debt Deal Discontent?**
The passing of the debt ceiling bill and subsequent criticism from some Republicans showcases ongoing division within the party. With the possibility of a motion to vacate, conservatives may have the chance to hold McCarthy accountable for perceived poor negotiations.
