Peoria Standard

Despite the recent U.S. House vote to pass a much-debated debt ceiling bill, many Republican representatives stood proudly against the measure on the grounds that it failed to cut spending as it promised.

"Tonight, I opposed the debt increase deal," U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) said on Facebook. "While I appreciate the hard work of Speaker McCarthy and Republican negotiators to force President Biden to the table and get Democrat concessions, I cannot support the agreement in its current form as the bill allows unlimited borrowing over the next two years and does not take long-term steps to address our debt crisis."

The U.S. is headed toward hitting its debt ceiling of $31.4 trillion, supposedly by June 5, CNN reported. This means the country is no longer able to borrow money to fund various federal programs and projects. In order to change this, a debt ceiling increase bill must be passed through both House and Senate, and gain President Biden's signature.

On May 31, the House of Representatives voted on the debt ceiling bill, which had been debated between parties for several months now, CNN reported. Republicans wanted major spending cuts to improve the federal budget, while Democrats said they should raise the ceiling before making any drastic changes. The bill they finally settled on did not make the major cuts Republicans wanted, according to many conservative representatives, who said they would not vote for it unless more financial reform was made. 

“Illinois families who work hard must meet budgets and spend money within their means, and it is long past time that the federal government do the same," LaHood said. "That's why I joined House Republicans to responsibly raise the debt limit and pass the Limit, Save, Grow Act last month, legislation to significantly reform Washington's spending addiction."

LaHood said that his vote against the debt ceiling bill came in response to the concerns of his local constituents.

"As I've listened to residents of central and northwestern Illinois this past week, it is clear that 16th District constituents do not want unlimited COVID-19 level deficit spending that continues to kick the can down the road and places the burden on our children and grandchildren. Therefore, I opposed the legislation," he said.                     

Despite the opposition, the bill received enough of a majority from Republicans and Democrats to pass through the House with a 314-117 vote, Reuters reported. It now moves on to the Senate, where aides say the goal is to have it voted on and approved by the end of day Friday. This is to get it to Biden’s desk by Monday, the supposed deadline, so that he can sign it into law as he has promised in recent days.