What’s New
Representative Chip Roy, a Texas Republican, responded to President-elect Donald Trump’s call for him to face a primary challenge on Thursday.
“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,” Roy wrote in a post to X (formerly Twitter).
Why It Matters
The confrontation comes as House Republicans scramble to pass a bill to fund the federal government and avoid a government shutdown less than a week before Christmas.
Roy, a staunch conservative, is among the lawmakers who oppose raising the debt ceiling, which Trump has deemed “unnecessary” amid negotiations on the spending bill, known as a continuing resolution (CR).
The debt ceiling is a a statutory limit on how much the federal government can borrow. It has long been a sticking point in policy debates fro Congress, which has raised or suspended it at several points to avoid defaulting on national debt. Critics, however, say that eliminating the limit would be bad for the country’s long-term economic strength.
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What to Know
Roy responded to a Truth Social post from Trump, who accused Roy of “getting in the way” of a deal. Trump wrote that “Republican obstructionists have to be done away with,” and that Roy should be “dismissed as being utterly unknowledgeable as to the ways of politics, and as to Making America Great Again.”
“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!” Trump posted.
Roy opposes raising the debt limit, which Trump has come out in support of. The president-elect told NBC News eliminating the debt ceiling would be the “smartest thing it [Congress] could do.”
“The Democrats have said they want to get rid of it. If they want to get rid of it, I would lead the charge,” he said.
Trump earlier said Republicans supporting the original CR proposed by House Speaker Mike Johnson this week should be primaried.
What People Are Saying
Former Vice President Mike Pence on X: “Congressman Chip Roy is one of the most principled conservatives in Washington DC and people across this country are grateful for his stand against runaway federal spending. We just can’t keep piling trillions in debt on our children and grandchildren.”
Radio Host Dana Loesch on X: “Why?@chiproytx is one of the best conservative fighters in Congress. He is popular here in Texas. Why are we picking fights with proven conservative stalwarts and not the left? Why is he speaking more harshly of Chip Roy than Mike Johnson?”
Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, on X: “I agree with President-elect Trump that Congress should terminate the debt limit and never again govern by hostage taking.”
What Happens Next
Trump announced on Truth Social Thursday afternoon that he supports a new spending package reached by House Speaker Mike Johnson that would “keep the Government open, fund our Great Farmers and others, and provide relief for those severely impacted by the devastating hurricanes.”
He encouraged all members of Congress to vote in support of the bill Thursday night.
