Debt limit deal passes House: Here's what Southern Tier congressman had to say about it

After weeks of back and forth among congressional leaders over the merits of raising the debt ceiling and dangers of letting the government default on its debt, the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday overwhelmingly voted to approve the "Fiscal Responsibility Act."

Among the Republicans who voted in favor of the bill was 23rd District Rep. Nick Langworthy, who admitted the measure has flaws but is a vital step in the right direction.

The legislation, a compromise deal struck by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden, would suspend the limit on how much the federal government can borrow until Jan. 2025.

It would also keep nondefense spending discretionary spending — which does not include Social Security and Medicare — roughly flat for 2024 and raise it by 1% in 2025.

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About $30 billion in unspent COVID-19 relief money would be rescinded. Billions of dollars in recently approved funding for the IRS to improve customer service and go after tax cheats would be redirected to other areas.

The measure was approved by the House, 314-117.

"While far from perfect, the Fiscal Responsibility Act is the first step to curb Washington’s reckless spending," Langworthy said in a statement. "House Republicans defeated President Biden’s demand for a clean debt ceiling and $5 trillion tax hike while achieving the largest spending cuts in our nation’s history."

The bill now heads to the Senate, where Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, said he wants a vote Friday.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned the government wouldn't be able to pay bills coming due if the measure isn't approved by the Senate and signed by Biden by Monday.

McCarthy said the bill doesn't stop "Washington's spending addiction," but is a first step toward curbing it.

Langworthy agreed, and said there's a lot of work that still needs to be done to get federal spending under control.

"This bill contains many structural reforms contained in each provision of our plan that will grow the economy and force further spending reductions during the budget process," he said. "Our work to change Washington is far from over.”

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This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Why Congressman Langworthy voted for 'far from perfect' debt deal