Arizona Freedom Caucus Blasts Federal Debt Ceiling Deal, Calls for Better Results for Americans

Neil Jones

The Arizona Freedom Caucus (AFC), a group of conservative-minded state lawmakers, released a statement Tuesday, blasting the debt ceiling limit deal made between President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) as a bad deal for the people of this nation.

“It should be obvious that Americans can’t afford to be saddled with yet more national debt. Given the $31.8 trillion national debt, growing by the second, prudence long ago dictated that getting spending under strict controls is non-discretionary; our runaway debt imposed by a lack of fiscal discipline at the federal level is nothing less than a national security threat,” according to the AFC’s joint statement.

As reported by The Arizona Sun Times, this new deal bill passed through the House Rules Committee Tuesday. While some Republicans, like Texas Congressman Chip Roy (R-TX-21), objected to the deal, it still managed to pass on a 7-6 vote. The bill will now go to the House floor for debates and votes on Wednesday evening.

However, the AFC stated that the main issue with the deal is that it presents another debt ceiling suspension that will last until 2025, which means the country’s already staggering debt can grow even worse during that time. They stated that the deal does include spending caps, but these will cut roughly $12 billion in spending at best. Yet, the bill still allows for federal bureaucratic growth, like new IRS agents, and upholds the Biden administration’s student debt bailout.

Instead, the AFC vouched for the “Limit, Save, Grow” plan pushed by the House Republicans. This version of a debt ceiling plan would have focused heavily on spending cuts. For example, it would reduce government expenditures, reclaim unspent COVID-19 response funds, defund the 87,000 new IRS agents, and cut $131 billion in annual spending next year. This plan passed the slimly Republican-led House in April. Now, Republican opposition in the House can stop the new plan from moving forward.

“We encourage all Arizona elected representatives in Congress to similarly oppose this bad deal and vote no,” the AFC said.

Other caucus members also spoke up, like State Representative Cory McGarr (R-Tucson), who warned the country may face bankruptcy if unchecked spending continues.

“This is simple. We don’t have any money and we can afford to act like we do. We will be bankrupt because of reckless insane democrats and establishment republicans,” McGarr tweeted.

At the federal level, several of Arizona’s Republican legislators have also voiced their opposition to this deal, such as Congressmembers Eli Crane (R-AZ-02) and Debbi Lesko (R-AZ-08).

“Instead of advancing a system that makes people reliant on government programs that were designed for temporary assistance, we need to help those experiencing homelessness prepare for work and find jobs so they can get off of the streets permanently,” Lesko shared.

Moreover, the House Freedom Caucus held a press conference Tuesday to discuss the deal, during which Arizona Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05) spoke his mind.

“How come it is that Republican leaders always tell us, ‘Next year, we’ll fight hard. Next year, we’ll fight hard; we really mean it next year,'” Biggs said. “I am going to vote no. I encourage my collogues to vote no.”

Biggs shared concerns that the nation’s debt will rise by $4 trillion to $5 trillion by 2025 if this deal is passed.

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Neil Jones is a reporter for The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Neil on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].

 

 

 

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