Debt ceiling deal divides House conservatives and sparks controversy.

U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy praised the bipartisan debt ceiling deal he negotiated with President Joe Biden, but some House conservatives, including Representative Ken Buck of the far-right House Freedom Caucus, criticized the deal for failing to deliver deeper spending cuts. McCarthy's position as the top Republican in Congress may be challenged by hardline conservatives due to "credibility issues." The deal suspends the debt ceiling until Jan. 1, 2025, and keeps fiscal 2024 spending flat at this year's levels, allowing a 1% increase for fiscal 2025. The deal was approved by strong majorities of both parties, but roughly half of the 76 Republican no votes were from the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus.