After President-elect Donald Trump called for a primary against Texas Republican Representative Chip Roy for opposing lifting the debt ceiling for two years as part of a spending package, Roy took to the House floor to rip his GOP colleagues for being fiscally irresponsible.
The debt ceiling is a statutory cap on the amount the federal government can borrow. It has historically been a contentious issue in Congress, which has repeatedly raised or suspended it to prevent a default on the national debt. Critics argue, however, that removing the limit entirely could undermine the country’s long-term economic stability.
Trump has lashed out at Republicans who've opposed raising the debt ceiling, which he labeled as "unnecessary" during ongoing negotiations over the spending bill. And he reserved particular ire for Roy, whom he accused in a post on Truth Social of "getting in the way" of a deal.
He wrote the following, insisting that "closing up" the government for a while is preferable to negotiating with Democrats over funding:
"The very unpopular “Congressman” from Texas, Chip Roy, is getting in the way, as usual, of having yet another Great Republican Victory - All for the sake of some cheap publicity for himself. Republican obstructionists have to be done away with. The Democrats are using them, and we can’t let that happen."
"Our Country is far better off closing up for a period of time than it is agreeing to the things that the Democrats want to force upon us. Biden is President, and it’s his obligation to properly lead. We’re there to do the right thing, and we can’t agree with what Biden and the Democrats are demanding."
"Weak and ineffective people like Chip have to be dismissed as being utterly unknowledgeable as to the ways of politics, and as to Making America Great Again. Put “America First,” and go for the Victory, even if it means shutting the Government down for a period of time."
"We had an overwhelming Victory just four weeks ago, and we’re not going to let the Democrats forget it so quickly!"
You can see his post below.
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
Trump attacked Roy in another post calling for a primary challenge against him.
He wrote:
"Chip Roy is just another ambitious guy, with no talent. By the way, how's Bob Good doing? I hope some talented challengers are getting ready in the Great State of Texas to go after Chip in the Primary. He won't have a chance!"
You can see his post below.
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
Trump's fury is the latest signal of trouble in the GOP ranks since spending bill negotiations collapsed earlier this week.
Republicans—spurred by calls from Elon Musk—scrapped House Speaker Mike Johnson's proposal for a three-month stopgap funding extension, known as a continuing resolution (CR), which includes over $100 billion in natural disaster relief, bipartisan healthcare policy reforms, and various other provisions.
Last night, the House of Representatives rejected a spending bill endorsed by Trump, which would have lifted the debt limit for two years.
The bill failed in a 174-235 vote on Thursday evening, with nearly all Democrats and 38 hard-right Republicans opposing it. These Republicans broke ranks with the president-elect, citing concerns that the proposal would significantly add to the $36 trillion national debt.
After the failed vote, Johnson said Republicans would reconvene and “come up with another solution" but the clock is ticking; the government is set to begin a partial shutdown at midnight tonight when the current funding round expires.
But Roy stood firm amid these heightened tensions, calling out his colleagues in remarks on the House floor that warned of the consequences in the event they agree to raise the debt ceiling:
"We're going to increase the debt by $5 trillion. That's what's going to happen right here by Republicans: increasing the debt by $5 trillion. What are you doing in the same bill? $110 billion unpaid for because you never have any ounce of self respect to go out and campaign saying you're going to balance the budget."
"And then you come in here and pass $110 billion unpaid for on top of $200 billion. Congratulations: You've added to the debt since you were given the majority on November 5. It's embarrassing, it's shameful."
"Yes, I think this bill was better than it was yesterday on certain respects but to take this bill and congratulate yourself because it's shorter in pages but increases the debt by $5 trillion is asinine and that's precisely what Republicans are doing."
You can hear what he said in the video below.
He also issued a post on X affirming his position in which he tagged Trump, Johnson, in-coming Senate majority leader, North Dakota Senator John Thune, and the Freedom Caucus:
"My position is simple - I am not going to raise or suspend the debt ceiling (racking up more debt) without significant & real spending cuts attached to it. I’ve been negotiating to that end. No apologies."
You can see his post below.
Many, left and right alike, stood behind him.
When asked about Trump's calls to primary him, Roy told reporters that "we're working right now on how to actually cut spending, which is what the voters sent me to Washington to do. So that’s what we’re working on."
The conservative publication National Review published a piece by contributor Dominic Pino defending Roy's position, saying Roy only wants a "continuation" of the principle that the threat of default presents an "opportunity for spending reforms precisely because it creates an arbitrary deadline before which Congress must act" instead of punting matters by raising it and inflaming hostilities.
Pino added that there is "no need to [raise the debt ceiling] in the lame-duck session while Joe Biden is still nominally president and Democrats control the Senate."
