GOP Leaders Considering Narrow Spending Package To Force Debt Limit Deal

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, March 20, 2024. The race is on for Congress to pass the final spending package for the current budget year and

House Speaker Mike Johnson and his GOP leadership team are in talks about a targeted spending package aimed at pressuring Democrats to accept a debt limit deal without concessions. This move sets the stage for a high-stakes confrontation even before Donald Trump assumes office.

The proposed plan includes a 'clean' debt limit and a mostly 'clean' stopgap bill, with only disaster relief and farm aid attached. Notably, it excludes previously agreed-upon provisions related to the Baltimore bridge and RFK stadium.