Debt Ceiling Agreement Reached, Florida's Congressional Delegation Reacts

Debt ceiling negotiations have finally reached an agreement in principle between President Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), evoking mixed reactions from Florida Representatives.

Representative Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) stated he was "happy" the agreement was reached and he was "looking forward to reading the bill."

"I am happy to hear that @SpeakerMcCarthy and @POTUS have reached a deal to prevent Default for the American people. I look forward to reading the bill," said Rep. Moskowitz.

Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL) spoke of the agreement's plan to "fully fund medical care for veterans," thanking President Biden.

"The agreement fully funds medical care for veterans, including the funding the PACT Act’s toxic exposure fund (TEF) at the levels included in President Biden’s FY2024 budget. TY @JoeBiden #PACTAct," Rep. Castor said.

Representative Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) similarly commended Speaker McCarthy for "deliver[ing] a a deal that responsibly raises the debt ceiling while reducing wasteful, out-of-control spending," adding it was "commonsense" and "bipartisan."

".@SpeakerMcCarthy has delivered a deal that responsibly raises the debt ceiling while reducing wasteful, out-of-control spending. It’s the common-sense, bipartisan deal the majority of Americans support," said Rep. Gimenez.

Representative Brian Mast (R-FL) spoke on Fox News after the deal was cut, warning fellow members of Congress to ask themselves if capping spending and instituting a one-year freeze on hiring 87,000 Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents was worth raising the debt ceiling.

"Is capping spending worth raising the debt ceiling? Is a one-year hiring freeze for 87,000 IRS agents worth raising the debt ceiling? These are the questions every Member needs to evaluate ahead of this week’s vote," Rep. Mast stated.

In addition to the hiring freeze and spending cap, Rep. Mast brought attention to the administrative pay-go system (wherein executive agencies must reallocate funds from one program to another to reduce mandatory spending).

Furthermore, Mast criticized the Senate as "derelict" for rejecting the Limit, Save, and Grow Act.

"Are they worth ending this negotiation right now in order to avoid a default and essentially allowing the Senate to not take up the bill that was already sent over there, which they should have taken up, they're derelict for not doing so," said Mast.