House GOP frosh face political pressure of debt

WASHINGTON — House Republican freshmen are caught between rock-solid fiscal conservatism and a political hard place.
The class of 2010 that lifted the GOP to its comfortable House majority pushed the leadership to a vote Tuesday on legislation that would slash spending by trillions of dollars and require a balanced budget constitutional amendment in exchange for an increase in the nation's borrowing limit.
At least a dozen freshmen spoke out for the bill during hours of House debate Tuesday.
"Washington has a spending addiction," insisted Rep. Rich Nugent, R-Fla.
Securing a vote was a hard-won victory consistent with the campaign promises that helped get the 87 GOP members elected in November.
But the measure's chances are poor in the Senate, setting the stage for a backup plan from congressional leaders that would allow the government to avoid an unprecedented 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.
"I'm actually being accused of selling out back home," Rep. Mick Mulvaney, R-S.C., said in an interview. "Some folks don't want to raise it under any circumstances. I tried to explain to them that this is the one chance to actually change Washington, so most folks will come around after we have that discussion."
The former state lawmaker who ousted the chairman of the House Budget Committee, Democrat John Spratt, said he was hearing from the "extreme right wing."
Solid backing of tea partyers helped propel several freshmen to Washington, boosting the candidacy of citizen-lawmakers such as car dealers, pizza shop owners, farmers and businessmen. The Tea Party Express on Tuesday made it clear they better stay in line, threatening GOP primary challenges to Republicans who support Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's ...