GOP revolt: How Republicans are unleashing their wrath on McCarthy for debt ceiling deal

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's (R-CA) detractors in Congress are revolting over the debt limit deal he cut with President Joe Biden.

Members of the House Freedom Caucus derailed legislation to curtail federal regulation of gas stoves on Monday, have publicly complained about the debt limit compromise, and have floated a motion to vacate against McCarthy.

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"Today, we took down the rule because we're frustrated at the way this place is operating," Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) told reporters Monday. "We're concerned that the fundamental commitments that allowed Kevin McCarthy to assume the speakership have been violated as a consequence of the debt limit deal."

Gaetz was one of 12 Republicans who banded together with 208 Democrats to scuttle advancement on four pieces of legislation pertaining to gas stoves. That marked the first time in 21 years a vote for a rule failed.

Conservatives have raged against the Biden administration over a proposed "energy efficiency standard" for gas cooking products. Some have accused Biden of seeking to ban gas stoves, but the administration has said those fears are overcooked. Regardless, legislation to thwart the regulation was supposed to be a policy win for the GOP.

The Freedom Caucus has long been a thorn in the side of McCarthy and other former Republican speakers. Earlier this year, many members in and aligned with the group put McCarthy through a historically unprecedented 15 votes to become speaker.

McCarthy cut a handful of deals with his GOP critics to clinch the gavel, but now, he is staring down renewed backlash from his right flank. Given the GOP's thin 222-213 seat majority, his critics have considerable leverage against him, as demonstrated Monday in the act of defiance against him.

More broadly, critics of McCarthy are seemingly unafraid to go after him publicly, undeterred that he may retaliate.

"Speaker McCarthy has forgotten what I wanted out of the debt ceiling 'deal.' Here's a brief reminder: STOP Congress’ out-of-control spending, thereby preventing an eventual default. DON’T add $4 trillion to our deficit. NO handouts to Democrats. He failed on all counts," Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO), who helped tank the gas stove legislation on Monday, tweeted.

Speaker McCarthy has forgotten what I wanted out of the debt ceiling "deal." Here's a brief reminder: ➡️STOP Congress’ out-of-control spending, thereby preventing an eventual default➡️ DON’T add $4 trillion to our deficit➡️NO handouts to Democrats He failed on all counts. pic.twitter.com/bJbHwP6kL9

At the heart of their agitation is the debt ceiling compromise bill, the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, which they saw as a betrayal. McCarthy championed efforts to use the debt limit as leverage to elicit concessions on spending cuts from Biden, but his detractors felt he didn't win enough.

More Democrats (165) backed the measure than Republicans (149) when it passed last week. However, an overwhelmingly 67% of House Republicans voted in favor of the measure, which prevented the government from running out of cash by the projected Monday deadline.

McCarthy has stood by the deal, arguing there wasn't a win for Democrats in the bill and touting the GOP's victories on spending growth reductions, permitting reform, and more.

"If you think I failed you, I'm sorry. But if you think I failed, I think you're wrong," McCarthy told his conference.

He has also made overtures to his critics, including a vow to continue the fight for additional spending reductions and even teased a bipartisan commission to evaluate the budget.

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Looming over McCarthy is the threat of a motion to vacate. He lowered the threshold to allow just one member of Congress to bring forth a measure to oust him.

Detractors have walked carefully around the motion to vacate and aren't actively pursuing it just yet. But some, such as Rep. Dan Bishop (R-NC), dangled it as they seek to put McCarthy on notice.