The most conservative faction of House Republicans will vote against the controversial budget and debt limit deal, the group announced on Wednesday.
The House Freedom Caucus called the deal “an affront to open, accountable and limited government,” and pledged to vote “no” on the deal when it comes to the floor for consideration Wednesday. Their opposition isn’t likely to sink the legislaiton, however, because Democrats are expected to help the GOP garner the 218 votes needed for passage Wednesday afternoon.
About 40 lawmakers are members of the Freedom Caucus. and their rejection of the deal was largely expected.
The group has announced it will support Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., for House Speaker in an internal GOP election this afternoon. Ryan said he backs the budget deal but pledged to change the process for developing legislation if he wins the gavel.
The group did not suggest on Wednesday that they would drop their support of Ryan even though he backs the budget deal.
Freedom Caucus members are fiscally conservative and are typically opposed to any proposal to raise the debt limit without equal cuts elsewhere in the budget. The bipartisan deal fails to do that, and also increases spending over two years by $80 billion, which is a non-starter with Freedom Caucus members who want Congress to adhere to budget caps that are aimed at reducing the deficit.
The group said in its statement that they oppose a provision in the accord that would save the nearly insolvent Social Security Disability Insurance program by shifting money from the Social Security trust fund. The cost of the SSDI program would be reined in through fraud control, the agreement stipulates.
The group denounced the speedy and secretive process that will bring the budget deal to the floor for a vote today. It was negotiated mostly by outgoing House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and President Obama, along with Democratic leaders.
Ryan said on Tuesday that he agrees, and that the process “stinks.”
