South Carolina lawmakers split 6-3 on the important question of whether or not the United States would, on Monday, default on its debt. President Biden address the bipartisan agreement extending the debt limit at 7 pm TONIGHT.
Third District Congressman Jeff Duncan voted "yes" because:
For months, Joe Biden refused to negotiate with House Republicans and repeatedly said that he would only sign a debt limit increase that didn’t reduce spending or contain any conservative reforms. After months of work and with the support of the American people, House Republicans convinced him to do otherwise. The Fiscal Responsibility Act caps spending, claws back unspent COVID funds, adds work requirements for welfare recipients, decreases funding for Biden’s IRS army, and reforms energy permitting for oil and gas projects in this country. While I would have preferred much steeper spending cuts, the legislation represents the first year-over-year cut in discretionary spending since 1948. The legislation also contains an important provision from Congressman Thomas Massie that institutes an across-the-board cut in discretionary spending in the event Congress does not follow the normal appropriations process. Having voted against the past six consecutive debt limit increases, I understand exactly what is at stake for our nation if we don’t address spending. I believe this legislation represents an important step in the right direction, which is why after spending days wading through the information and disinformation surrounding the bill, I ultimately felt comfortable supporting it along with conservatives like Jim Jordan and Newt Gingrich. I will continue fighting every day for more fiscal responsibility in Washington to get our country back on track.
SC Senator Tim Scott, a Republican candidate for President of the United States, voted "no" because, among other things, the deal does not fight against what alternative-energy critics have called "The Green New Deal":
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Senator Scott Opposes Giving Biden Administration Blank Check |
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WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) issued the following statement after voting no on H.R. 3746, which raises the debt limit: “President Biden’s commitment to reckless spending is the reason you can’t trust him with an open checkbook from now until January 2025,” said Senator Scott. “If we don’t want our nation to default, we need to rein in Democrats’ out-of-control, inflationary spending - and this deal doesn’t do that. Instead, it sets us up to be worse off, doing the same song and dance time after time. It’s irresponsible and something I can’t vote for.” H.R. 3746:
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The bipartisan agreement - which passed the Senate 63-36 and passed the House 314-177 - was negotiated by President Biden and House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The US House controls America's purse, and the Senate confirms the deals. The President can sign it, or veto it.
Scott and Senator Lindsey Graham voted "no" - Graham said, "This is really dumb" because in his mind the defense spending level would hurt the Pentagon and leave American allies confused -- such as Ukraine which is fighting a defensive war against Russia occupying its Eastern region.
Duncan, Joe Wilson, and Jim Clyburn (Democrat) were the "yes" votes in the SC Delegation. Voting "no" and thus against the wishes of Speaker McCarthy and his allies are Russell Fry, Nancy Mace, Ralph Norman and William Timmons.
The US Senate vote was in favor of "yes" 63-36.
The US House vote was in favor of "yes" 314-177.
Sponsors call the bill The Fiscal Responbility Act.
