Republicans could be in for a showdown in the House of Representatives amid infighting over cutting government spending.
The pressure is mostly coming from 21 conservative Republicans, largely House Freedom Caucus members, who have criticized House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) for not, in their view, cutting enough government spending. Given the Republicans’ slim majority, McCarthy is unlikely to have a passing number of votes if the hard-liners decide to rebel in a move reminiscent of their January protest over his speakership.
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Earlier this month, the 21 Republicans signed a letter to McCarthy announcing that they will vote against any bill that doesn’t meet a list of requirements.
“Absent adhering to the $1.471 trillion spending level – and/or achieving significant policy victories such as forcing President Biden to sign H.R. 2 and take the steps necessary to secure the border – we see an impossible path to reach 218 Republican votes on appropriations or other measures,” the letter read.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) laid out the expected conditions of the hard-liner faction in a Monday tweet.
“To consider funding federal government: 1) Return Federal Bureaucracy to Pre-COVID, 2) End Border Invasion & fed attack on Texas, 3) End FBI Weaponization, 4) End Racist DEI Govt Policies, 5) Make Europe Handle Ukraine, 6) End War on Reliable Energy,” he said.
To consider funding federal government: 1) Return Federal Bureaucracy to Pre-COVID, 2) End Border Invasion & fed attack on Texas, 3) End FBI Weaponization, 4) End Racist DEI Govt Policies, 5) Make Europe Handle Ukraine, 6) End War on Reliable Energy. #WinForAmerica
— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) July 24, 2023
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The expected fight will be over the first two of 12 appropriations bills, according to the Hill.
The clash could be the first major disruption of Republican unity in Congress in some time, following the party largely closing ranks around the Hunter Biden investigation.
