Debt ceiling bill clears first House hurdle, teeing up Wednesday vote

Washington — The bipartisan agreement to raise the debt ceiling and limit government spending passed a critical test in Congress on Tuesday, advancing out of the House Rules Committee despite opposition from some conservatives.

With the clock ticking to prevent the nation from defaulting on its debts, the committee, which sets ground rules and the length of time for debating legislation and any amendments allowed, voted 7 to 6 on Tuesday to move the bill to the House floor, where a vote is expected Wednesday. 

Two members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus who sit on the panel — Rep. Chip Roy of Texas and Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina — voted against allowing it to move forward, saying it does little to rein in government spending. They would have needed one more Republican on the committee to join them to sideline the deal, which President Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy reached over the weekend after weeks of talks.