Republican Study Committee Chairman Mark Walker indicated Monday he would oppose a Trump administration proposal to link federally-provided aid for Hurricane Harvey recovery to a measure raising the debt ceiling.
“What happened in Texas is a tragedy and it needs an urgent congressional response,” Walker, R-N.C., said in a statement. “Congress is united behind this effort, but I worry about jeopardizing an agreement with such legislative games.”
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on “Fox News Sunday” that he and President Trump want the hurricane aid tied to a measure increasing the debt limit. But there have been few signs so far that Congress would take that approach.
Other Republicans also seem to be opposed to the idea.
Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., the chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, warned in an interview with the Washington Post last week that congressional leaders should not try to attach the Harvey aid package to the debt limit increase.
Mnuchin has urged Congress to raise the debt limit by Sept. 29.
The White House forwarded an initial $7.85 billion request Friday night for Harvey recovery efforts, the first part of a response that could top $100 billion.
