Debt ceiling politics

Plus: Senate jockeying for 2024 and SCOTUS investigates the Dobbs leaker

View this email online Jan. 21, 2023 This week, we looked at debt ceiling politics, Senate jockeying for 2024 and the SCOTUS probe into the Dobbs leak. The Big Picture: Debt limit fight looms Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images The U.S. government officially hit its $31.4 trillion debt limit this week, unofficially kicking off what could be the central clash between a divided Congress and the Biden White House this year.  House Republicans – led by new Speaker Kevin McCarthy – are vowing to fight for spending cuts at all turns in exchange for their support for lifting the debt ceiling. While the Treasury Department is now using “extraordinary measures” to cover its obligations, Congress will have to vote to raise it by early summer or risk an unprecedented debt default that could trigger negative economic consequences worldwide. Like past presidents, Joe Biden maintains that he will not negotiate over the debt limit. Democrats think Republicans are backing themselves into an untenable political position that flirts with default in order to fight for spending cuts that cannot pass a Democratic Senate or be signed by President Biden. Democrats are not the only obstacle facing McCarthy. Across the Capitol, Senate Republicans’ support for this spending cut push has been lukewarm. “I think that important thing to remember is that America must never default on its debt. It never has, and it never will,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters in Kentucky last week.  McConnell was a chief negotiator around 2011 and 2013 debt limit standoffs and has competing political interests from McCarthy, who is working to keep a hard right faction unified behind him in his 4-seat House majority. Senate Republicans are poised to have a competitive 2024 election cycle with a good chance to win Democratic-held seats and the Senate majority -- if they don’t mess it up. Risking a debt default and demanding deep slashes in domestic programs while also flirting with overhauling entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare are ways they could, in fact, mess it up. Before McCarthy can try to get Biden to the negotiating table, he might first need to get on the same page as McConnell. -- Susan Davis, NPR congressional correspondent Read More Newsletter continues after sponsor message ICYMI: Top Stories Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Taylor Greene and the GOP: GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has been known for her far-right rhetoric and her aggressive stances against party leaders. But now, she finds herself in a different position — bridging the gap between far-right House Republicans and new Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Jockeying for 2024: It’s only the first month of 2023, but candidates are already announcing campaigns and making moves for the highly competitive 2024 Senate election. Here’s a look at some of the races that have made news so far. SCOTUS Dobbs leaker probe: The U.S. Supreme Court says it has been unable to identify the person or persons responsible for last May's unprecedented leak to Politico of the draft decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Counting votes in Arizona: Arizona's Maricopa County faced criticism as it took days to count its votes in 2022. The county's Republican recorder has a proposal to try to fix the problems he sees — but not everyone is happy with it. N.M. shootings targeting Dems: A former Republican candidate for the New Mexico state legislature was arrested for allegedly orchestrating multiple shootings at the homes of local Democratic officials. Police say Solomon Peña paid four men $500 to shoot at the homes of four elected officials — and that he took part in one shooting himself. — Brandon Carter, NPR Politics social media producer It all comes down to you Your financial support is the NPR Network's greatest strength. You keep the facts flowing. You bring more stories to more ears. You make a real difference when you contribute to independent, trustworthy media. Please donate today.    The Shot: A polar plunge tradition persists Claire Harbage/NPR For many in Ukraine, the tradition of plunging into the icy Dnipro River every January serves as a reminder that the new year represents a fresh start. It’s a tradition loosely tied to Epiphany, a Christian holiday that celebrates the baptism of Jesus Christ, though the Orthodox Church of Ukraine has said there’s no religious reason to be in winter water. NPR’s Elissa Nadworny, along with photographer Claire Harbage, visited a spot near the river in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro to document the annual icy plunge that has persisted despite the war with Russia. As Nikolai Pastushenko, 34, wades in he does the sign of the cross across his bare chest and then he dunks. Once. Twice. Three times, Nadwarny writes. "Of course, it doesn't feel like a holiday this year — you don't have a festive mood," says Pastushenko. "It's just a reason to get together and to get more united."   He’s meeting up with friends who will also take the plunge – an opportunity, he says, to be distracted from the war. “It's not to have fun, but to think about something else, to turn your attention into something else." — Heidi Glenn, NPR digital editor Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from Vermont Public (edit station). What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: nprpolitics@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Code Switch, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Politics emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy