In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Scott emphasized that Republicans should unite behind House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) as he gets ready to meet with President Joe Biden and top congressional leaders on May 9 to discuss the debt limit. “Our job right now is to put forward our ideas, but we do have a plan that came out of the House,” Scott said.
Then let’s make it better, Scott said. “We need to participate in this. To for Joe Biden to sign anything, the Senate will need 60 votes, the majority in the House, and the vote. Therefore, we must all take initiative to accomplish something.
Scott made his remarks on Thursday at a time when McConnell has so far stayed out of the talks for next week, stressing that Biden and McCarthy would have to come to an agreement. Even though McConnell plans to be present at the conference, he put a stop to any rumours about the sort of negotiator he would be.
The Kentucky Republican said at a news conference on Tuesday that “the Senate has no solution.” To resolve this deadlock, the speaker and the president must come to an agreement. I will convey that message in the White House meeting.
Government officials are scrambling to find an agreement as they race against time to avert a loan default if Congress does not extend its self-imposed $31.4 trillion debt limit by June 1, as Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen had earlier this week projected. The “X-date” may be June 8, but a well-known economist who testified before the Senate Budget Committee on Thursday also acknowledged that June 1, the date Yellen mentioned this week, may be a “worst-case scenario.” After exceeding its borrowing capacity in January, the United States has been using “extraordinary measures” to pay its debts.
In a press conference on Wednesday, a group of 19 Senate Republicans criticized Biden and Senate Democrats for their earlier refusal to bargain with Republicans, noting that next week’s meeting will be the first time McCarthy and Biden have spoken about the debt ceiling since February 1. The news conference, which Scott’s office prepared in collaboration with the Senate GOP leadership, highlighted that the conference was in agreement to let McCarthy take the lead in discussions.
The message that each senator who participated at the news conference on Wednesday echoed was that “We are here to support what Kevin McCarthy is trying to do,” according to Scott.
Scott omitted any criticism of McConnell and his team’s approach to the discussions at the time. Although he has refrained from outright criticizing McConnell’s approach, the Florida Republican’s displeasure has been implied. Scott stresses his involvement in conversations within the House Freedom Caucus, which were essential in creating the foundation for the just barely enacted legislation by the House.
Scott made reference to the so-called Breakfast Club, which consists of him, Sens. Ron Johnson (R-WI), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Mike Lee (R-UT), Mike Braun (R-IN), and Rand Paul (R-KY), in the Fox News interview.
“We said that we wanted to create something that we could vote on. Most of us hadn’t ever cast a vote in favour of a debt cap. We want to handle things responsibly, but I don’t believe any of us have ever.
McConnell and Scott’s conflict is not quite recent. In a vote for leadership last year, Scott ran against McConnell but lost 37-10 with one senator present. The Florida senator has repeatedly defended his decision to challenge McConnell for Senate Republican leader as an exercise in defending conservative values. Last election cycle, when the party lost a seat amid predictions of gains, Scott, who oversaw the Senate GOP’s campaign operation, and McConnell often sparred about the best course of action.
Scott has yet to endorse former President Donald Trump’s third run for the White House, but the two are cordial, and Trump encouraged Scott to run against McConnell last year. Scott advises the House speaker to keep the end in mind as he enters the crucial talks with congressional leaders the following week.
He must discuss his efforts on behalf of the American people. This is not for you or me. I mean, it’s up to the citizens. It’s for every American,” Scott explained. “We’ve got to balance the budget, live within our means, [and] get this inflation under control.”
