WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republican freshmen are finding themselves caught between rock-solid fiscal conservatism and a political hard place.
The class of 2010 gave the GOP its House majority in November. It pushed the leadership to a vote Tuesday on legislation that would slash federal spending by trillions of dollars and require a balanced budget constitutional amendment in exchange for an increase in the nation’s borrowing limit.
But the measure’s chances are poor in the Senate, setting the stage for a backup plan from congressional leaders designed to avoid an unprecedented government default on Aug. 2.
That would force freshmen to back an increase in the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling, and several constituents are telling them not to do it.
The freshmen are caught between tea partyers and warnings about wrecking the economy.
