Debt ceiling crisis

The bill passed on a bipartisan vote Wednesday, losing a faction of Republicans who said it was insufficient to tackle the debt, as well as Democrats who opposed its spending cuts.

The Rules Committee greenlighted the bill Tuesday, sending it to the GOP-led House for a vote expected Wednesday. It would then go to the Democratic-led Senate.

On a Monday night call, a member of the Freedom Caucus brought up using a rule that would force a vote to remove the speaker, two sources familiar with the call said.

Federal student loan borrowers could expect to begin repaying their bills in late summer as the larger question over loan forgiveness hangs in the balance.

Republicans and Democrats each won some concessions.

Some Republicans are confident: “Oh, this thing will absolutely pass,” said Rep. Dusty Johnson, the chair of the center-right Main Street Caucus.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy finalized the language of the deal Sunday. The bill is expected to go to the House on Wednesday evening.

Debt ceiling negotiators on Capitol Hill have agreed to tighten work requirements for nutrition benefits, a longtime conservative goal that the low-profile Foundation for Government Accountability has been helping to advance at the state level.

Speaker McCarthy, who announced the agreement Saturday night, will speak with GOP lawmakers on Saturday night to outline the agreement.

Republican lawmakers will hold a call to discuss the details tonight.

Both sides sounded optimistic Friday, even as lawmakers headed home for the holiday weekend.