Debt ceiling negotiations under intense pressure and scrutiny.
Senate conservatives, led by Sens. Rick Scott, Mike Lee, Ron Johnson, Ted Cruz, and Mike Braun, are pressuring Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell to demand major fiscal reforms in any bill to raise the debt ceiling, in line with Speaker Kevin McCarthy's position. McConnell is being urged to stick closely to McCarthy despite efforts by Democrats to divide the two GOP leaders. McConnell has declared that the US will not default, but conservatives are wary he may agree to a deal with Democrats to prevent a default.