Rep. Matt Gaetz Expects Bipartisan Debt Ceiling Deal to Pass, Sees No Threat to McCarthy’s Speakership

In the midst of the ongoing bipartisan negotiations over the debt ceiling, Representative Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) expressed his belief that there is “no serious threat” to the speakership of Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). Gaetz made this prediction during a Twitter Spaces livestream, where he anticipated the passage of a bipartisan deal with a significant number of votes from both Democrats and Republicans.

While it may come as a surprise to some, Gaetz, who was among the vocal opponents of McCarthy’s election as Speaker earlier this year, now stands firmly behind him. As one of the 20 hard-line conservatives who withheld support from McCarthy during the Speaker election, Gaetz was instrumental in pushing McCarthy to agree to lower the threshold required for holding a vote on removing the Speaker.

Debt Ceiling Deal and Conservative Opposition

Conservatives within Congress have been clear in their opposition to any debt ceiling deal that involves substantial concessions by Republicans to President Biden. McCarthy finds himself walking a delicate tightrope in the negotiation process, knowing that any member of his conference can initiate a motion to vacate the chair.

Gaetz acknowledged this possibility and commented on it during discussions earlier this week, stating that the one-person motion to vacate has actually brought forth the best version of Speaker McCarthy, whom he believes is doing a commendable job. Gaetz also dismissed suggestions that a vote to remove McCarthy as Speaker was currently being considered, emphasizing that such conversations were limited to the press and not a topic of serious discussion elsewhere.

The Ongoing Standoff and Deadline

The White House and House Republicans have found themselves in a deadlock over the debt ceiling negotiations, with the country’s deadline to raise the debt ceiling quickly approaching. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stressed the urgency, indicating that Congress has until June 1 to raise the debt ceiling before the nation faces default. Despite recent progress, the two parties have yet to reach a consensus as the Memorial Day weekend approaches. McCarthy expressed his hope for further progress during his remarks to reporters on Friday.

With the debt ceiling negotiations ongoing and Rep. Matt Gaetz expressing confidence in both the potential bipartisan deal and McCarthy’s speakership, the focus remains on the delicate balance McCarthy must strike and the impending deadline that looms over the country.