McConnell ‘confident’ 10 GOP senators will back debt deal

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said on Tuesday that he’s “confident” enough Republicans will back a deal that paves the way for raising the debt ceiling by a simple majority.

“We’ll be voting on it Thursday, and I’m confident that this particular procedure, coupled with the avoidance of Medicare cuts, will achieve enough Republican support to clear the 60-vote threshold,” McConnell said.

Under the deal, at least 10 Republicans will need to help advance a bill that blocks Medicare cuts and lays out the instructions for taking up another bill to raise the debt ceiling by a simple majority.

Democrats would then have to pass the bill to raise the debt ceiling by a specific number on their own.

Sens. John Thune (S.D.) and Roy Blunt (Mo.), the No. 2 and No. 4 GOP senators, both predicted Republicans would help advance the bill that lays out the instructions for the debt ceiling.

McConnell briefed the Senate GOP caucus on the agreement during a Tuesday lunch.

McConnell’s confidence comes after an October fight on a short-term debt hike sparked hours of behind-the-scenes wrangling, with McConnell and his leadership team going down to the wire to shore up enough GOP support.

McConnell vowed after the showdown, when he faced high-profile criticism from former President Trump and his own caucus, that Republicans wouldn’t help advance a debt ceiling increase again.

McConnell, speaking to reporters, said his “red line” is “intact” because the deal essentially sets up a fast-track process that lets Democrats raise the debt ceiling on their own. Republicans have wanted Democrats to raise the debt ceiling on their own under budget reconciliation.

“I think this is in the best interest of the country by avoiding default. I think it is also in the best interest of Republicans,” he said.

McConnell added that the agreement was “consistent with Republican values” and allows Democrats to “proudly own” the debt ceiling vote.