House Republican Whip Tom Emmer sounded upbeat Monday as he vowed Republicans will have the votes to pass their debt ceiling bill later this week, making the case he’s made to members all weekend that a vote against the package would hand President Joe Biden and Democrats a victory.
Emmer, the top House GOP vote counter, declined to give specific timing for a vote, but he doubled down that leaders will bring the measure to the floor this week. “Well, that’s up to the speaker,” he said when asked what day the bill would come to the floor.
House GOP leaders are pushing for a floor vote Wednesday, so long as they have the 218 votes needed to pass the bill through their narrowly divided chamber, according to a person familiar with the matter.
As top House Republicans strike an optimistic tone over the GOP debt limit bill, there still is no guarantee the package will pass nor that it will bring the White House to the negotiating table. But Republican leaders, including Emmer, have been impressing upon their members that it is the best shot they have to show unity, to cut spending and to make it clear that Republicans have the discipline to govern.
Asked about concerns raised by Republican members on a range of issues from stronger work requirements on Medicaid to a repeal of ethanol subsidies, Emmer told CNN the bill is closed and isn’t open for changes at this point.
Asked specifically about Rep. Matt Gaetz, who tweeted about changes related to work requirements he wanted to see, Emmer said the Florida Republican was a valuable member of the team, but he has a choice.
“This does have strong work requirements. But remember, we’re trying to thread the needle with all of our members. And no, I do not expect the language is going to change,” Emmer said.
“The bill is closed,” he continued. “The speaker has told…
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