In a controversial move, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has reached an agreement with President Joe Biden on a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package. The agreement, which was announced on Sunday, has been met with widespread criticism from top conservatives.
“This is a betrayal of the American people,” said Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX). “Kevin McCarthy has caved to the demands of Joe Biden and the radical left. This is a disaster for our country.”
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) responded, “With Republicans like these, who needs Democrats?”
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) echoed Lee’s tweet, writing: “Fake conservatives agree to fake spending cuts. Deal will increase mandatory spending ~5%, increase military spending ~3%, and maintain current non-military discretionary spending at post-COVID levels. No real cuts to see here. Conservatives have been sold out once again!”
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) wrote this about McCarthy: “Right now, the Democrats are very upset. The one thing [Hakeem Jeffries] told me, there is nothing in the bill for them – there is not one thing in the bill for Democrats.”
“He’s right. There’s not ‘one thing’ for Dems. There are $4 trillion things—a blank check—for Democrats,” Cruz responded. “Plus 87,000 things: new IRS agents to harass Americans. All in exchange for eliminating virtually ALL of the House’s spending cuts.”
And Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) added, “This pretty much says it all. Democrats got everything they wanted with this bill and don’t have to defend their reckless spending prior to the 2024 election. It’s a win for them.”
The agreement is also likely to face opposition from some moderate Republicans in the House. However, McCarthy has said that he has the votes to pass the bill, even without the support of all Republicans.
“I am confident that we will pass this bill and deliver much-needed relief to the American people,” said McCarthy.
Conservative members of the US House of Representatives stepped up pressure on Speaker McCarthy, urging him to maintain a tough stance in debt ceiling negotiations. Texas Congressman Chip Roy wrote to other Republicans urging them to join forces in demanding that McCarthy raise… pic.twitter.com/wJZvL32QdO
— Taurus (@Taurus_exchange) May 24, 2023
