'Playing with American lives': House GOP leaders blast Biden before debt limit vote

WASHINGTON – The House vote on the GOP debt limit plan will be a better test of Speaker Kevin McCarthy's political strength than President Joe Biden's leadership, but Republicans are focused on the latter.

Getting a fractured caucus to 218 votes is a big swing for McCarthy, who won his bid for speaker after 15 historic rounds of voting in January. At the time, there was much skepticism that McCarthy would still be in power in late April, let alone be able to corral his members, especially hardline conservatives, around a plan to raise the debt limit.

But on Wednesday afternoon, McCarthy is poised to do that.

The GOP debt limit plan is expected to pass the House and get nowhere in the Democratic-led Senate, but McCarthy hopes it leads to another sit-down at the White House and breaks the negotiating stall with Biden.

What is the GOP plan?: McCarthy, GOP debt limit plan proposes $4.5 trillion in cuts, eliminates student loan forgiveness

Blaming Biden

Even if the House GOP plan could pass the Senate, Biden has already said he would veto it. He has said he would talk once Republicans pass a budget, but he will not negotiate on the debt limit.

The debt limit is the government's ability to borrow money to cover obligations it has already promised to pay. Federal spending refers to the government's annual budget that is negotiated every year.

If lawmakers do not raise the debt limit, the federal government could run out of money to pay its bills in early June, according to recent projections. Though it's up to lawmakers to raise the debt limit, House Republicans are blaming Biden for risking default.

They will not raise the debt limit without getting spending cuts in return, and Biden wants them to raise the debt limit and negotiate federal spending separately.

"He's already threatening a veto," House Majority Whip Tom Emmer said during a news conference Wednesday. "He is playing with American lives and the economic health of our nation."

Republicans also used the Wednesday news conference to give their frequently used metaphor another spin, comparing the debt limit to a credit card.

"Joe Biden has gone into hiding, trying to run out the clock and create a debt crisis demanding not that we address the spending problem that maxed out the credit card, but believe it or not Joe Biden is demanding that he get another card to go max out," House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said.

Debt limit bill: As McCarthy tries to get House votes, U.S. default now projected in early June

What is Biden saying?

While Republicans have focused on Biden, the president has zeroed in on what their legislation would take away.

Calling it the "House MAGA plan," a reference to his predecessor's "Make America Great Again" slogan, Biden issued a tweet after the House GOP news conference.

"A 22% cut on the programs hardworking families rely on," he said in a tweet Wednesday morning. "That's the House MAGA plan."

A corresponding image said the Republican bill will cut spending on education, veterans' health care, child care and opioid treatment by 22%.

On Tuesday, Biden said McCarthy's "MAGA proposal makes it easier for rich folks to cheat on their taxes – adding over $100 billion to our national debt."

"Oh, and they'll pay for it by cutting Medicaid and food assistance for low-income people," he added.

White House response: Biden threatens veto of GOP debt limit bill, accuses Republicans of 'hostage taking'

Debt limit negotiations stalled

Meanwhile, the House has 15 days left in session before early June, which is when three financial firms and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen predict the government could run out of money to pay its bills.

If those projections are true and Republicans don't lift the debt limit during the 15 days they are in session between now and then, a default would impact all Americans.

It would mean higher home and auto loan rates and credit card payments, officials have warned, and could stop payments on government programs like Social Security. Bondholders would also not be paid what they're owed on time.

Debt limit bill: As McCarthy tries to get House votes, U.S. default now projected in early June

Candy Woodall is a politics editor for USA TODAY. She can be reached at cwoodall@usatoday.com or on Twitter at @candynotcandace.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Debt limit vote: House Republicans blame Biden for default fears