Why it matters: Top Republicans say they want the bill on the floor by next week, but members across the GOP conference have a range of reservations about a proposal that’s still incomplete.
- Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) said it’s “probably not” enough time to get her on board: “To turn it around in a week, that’s pretty short order.”
- “This is the single biggest point of leverage that will exist in these two years,” said another Republican lawmaker.
What they’re saying: “I think that they should go further. … I am in favor of very aggressive cuts,” said right-wing Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.).
- Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), a former chair of the right-wing Freedom Caucus, said McCarthy’s proposal to keep nondiscretionary, nondefense at 2022 levels is a “long ways away” from his demand to bring it down to pre-pandemic levels.
Between the lines: Others are simply uncomfortable with the whole enterprise. “I just didn’t run for Congress to raise the debt ceiling, so … it’s not something I’m excited about,” said Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Mo.).
State of play: That puts McCarthy far from where he needs to be in terms of floor vote math — but even his detractors say it’s possible they could come together.