Democrats warn Republicans not to tie debt ceiling increase to disaster aid

Published January 14, 2025 11:41am ET



After meeting with President-elect Donald Trump over the weekend, Republican lawmakers began talking publicly about a plan to make aid to California for the devastating Los Angeles fires conditional. 

House Republicans believe they will need bipartisan support to raise the debt limit, an item Trump has pushed but some Republicans are staunchly against. Attaching that provision, along with assistance to Southern California, would give Democrats a reason to vote in favor of increasing the debt limit and help Republicans push through Trump’s request. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) additionally blamed California leaders as his reason for attaching the aid.

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