What are Ohio representatives saying about the passing of debt ceiling bill?

Ohio delegates in the U.S. House voted unanimously in favor of a bill that would increase the national debt limit and cut spending.

The “Fiscal Responsibility Act” passed by a wide 314-117 vote-margin Wednesday. Though the legislation saw opposition from liberal Democrats and hardline conservative Republicans, Ohio representatives from the two parties voted in unison.

What would the ‘Fiscal Responsibility Act’ do?

Increasing the debt limit would allow the nation to avoid a disastrous default on debt. The legislation would suspend the federal government’s borrowing limit until January 2025.

It would also keep nondefense discretionary spending – which does not include Social Security and Medicare – roughly flat for 2024 and raise it by 1% in 2025. About $30 billion in unspent coronavirus relief money would be rescinded. Billions of dollars in recently approved funding for the IRS to improve customer service and go after tax cheats would be redirected to other areas.

The bill now heads to the Senate, where Majority Leader Chuck Schumer wants a vote this week. Congress needs to send an agreement to President Joe Biden’s desk before Monday or the government won’t be able to pay bills coming due, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has warned.

What are Ohio reps saying about the ‘Fiscal Responsibility Act’?

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-urbana, voiced strong support for the act at a press conference Wednesday, deeming it a change of precedent.

“In the past decade, the debt ceiling has been raised nine times,” Jordan said. “None of those debt ceiling increases lowered spending year-to-year. This is the first one to do so.”

Both Columbus representatives described the act as a worthwhile compromise.

“When President Biden called me earlier today, we agreed that defaulting on our debt was simply not an option,” Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-columbus, said in a press release. “I thank him for his leadership in negotiating a deal in the face of Republican attempts to impose draconian cuts on our nation’s most vulnerable populations. I stand with the Biden-harris Administration and House Democrats to continue our fight against MAGA extremism.”

“The Fiscal Responsibility Act is the first of many steps Republicans will take to restore fiscal sanity and hold Washington accountable,” Rep. Mike Carey, R-columbus, said in a tweet. “Governing, especially with divided government, is about taking responsible, incremental steps toward our goals, which is exactly what this deal does.”

USA Today reporting contributed to this story. Jnimesheim@dispatch.com @Jacknimesheim