Democrats are out of sorts over the debt ceiling negotiations that have been going on between President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The fractions of the Democratic Party are frustrated for different reasons. Progressives don’t want cuts at all. Moderates are turning up their noses at work requirements. Swing district Democrats don’t want to rock the boat in what could be a bad electoral year. So no one is happy, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is in the position of fielding all those complaints and trying to keep the party together. He and his leadership team are taking complaints from the caucus and not getting much help at all from the White House.
Punchbowl News has written this in their morning newsletter:
“Democrats don’t like what they’ve heard about the emerging debt-limit and federal spending deal between President Joe Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy. And that sense has been building within House Democratic ranks all week.
The leadership trio warned the White House that it can’t just assume 80 to 100 Democrats will back any Biden-McCarthy deal. Tougher work requirements for social-welfare programs is the most sensitive issue for many Democrats, with McCarthy continuing to press the White House to give in on this front.
“We’ve been exceedingly clear where we are depending on what’s in it,” said a senior Democratic aide, speaking on the condition of anonymity.”
The fact that there is even a negotiating table means the Republicans have already won, and the Democrats are nervous because they don’t think McCarthy will bring all his votes across. The truth is that Republicans should all be on board. This is a step in the right direction, it’s a victory, and it’s a prime talking point for next year’s election cycle.
Take a look at this perspective from Congressman Byron Donalds:
You have a White House that was never prepared to have debt ceiling negotiations in the first place.
The White House & Senate Democrats never thought @HouseGOP would craft & pass the Limit Save Grow Act.
They thought we would be divided & fail.
They were irresponsible & WRONG. pic.twitter.com/BAA15mOfK2
— Congressman Byron Donalds (@RepDonaldsPress) May 19, 2023