House GOP's Budget Hawks Now Want A $4 Trillion Debt Limit Hike [View all]

Source: Huff Post

Jan 16, 2025, 11:41 AM EST


The House Freedom Caucus, a group of hard-right conservative and libertarian Republicans, wants a $4 trillion hike in the nation’s debt limit as part of the GOP’s big but still-developing tax and spending cut plans.

A hike in the debt limit would allow the government to continue borrowing to repay past debts and keep it from defaulting on the current $36 trillion-plus in outstanding debt. A default by the U.S. on its debt would trigger catastrophic economic consequences, economists say.

In a social media post early Thursday, the Freedom Caucus proposed the $4 trillion hike as part of a package of spending increases for increased border security and boosting the Pentagon’s budget. They said the boost would allow borrowing for another two years. The group, which has long been a thorn in the side of House GOP leaders with its demands for more hard-line policies, said the hike would have to be accompanied by “dollar-for-dollar” spending cuts over 10 years.

“Our proposal is a Republican plan that can reach 218 votes, that would allow us to keep the ball on the Republican side of the field for defense and non-defense appropriations ― while delivering wins and uniting the conference,” the group said in its post.

Read more: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/house-gop-hardliners-want-4-trillion-debt-limit-hike_n_67891ba7e4b0ebaad44f0d20