Hard-line conservatives demand concessions from House Speaker McCarthy in debt-ceiling standoff

Hard-line conservatives angered by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s debt-ceiling deal are demanding power-sharing and budget-cutting concessions from him in exchange for allowing legislation to move on the House floor.

In agreeing Monday to temporarily lift a nearly week-long blockade of the House floor, some of the lawmakers threatened to stall business again if McCarthy doesn’t meet their demands.

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“I think everybody’s attitude into the room was how do we move forward,” McCarthy said.

“I think you will see an agreement in the next few days,” said Representative Bob Good, a Virginia Republican among the 11 dissidents who initiated the blockade. Representative Matt Rosendale of Montana, another protester, said the House “will be functioning this week.”

The ultra-conservatives have been angered by the compromise McCarthy forged with President Joe Biden to avert a US debt default. They want deeper cuts in government spending.

Representative Matt Gaetz suggested that even if the hard-liners permit the House to resume business, tensions remain.

“Trust is a serious problem,” Gaetz said.

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Their blockade marked the first time in more than two decades that a speaker had been unable to muster the votes for a procedural step to begin debate on a bill on the House floor, according to C-Span. McCarthy eventually gave up on votes and sent lawmakers home for the week.

The narrow 222-212 House GOP majority McCarthy oversees enables as few as five Republican lawmakers to sabotage a measure on a party-line vote.