Republicans seethe after Steven Mnuchin's debt deal pitch: 'About as well received as his wife's Instagram post'
Though the House ultimately approved a $15.25 billion Harvey aid and debt-spending package Friday, many conservative Republicans weren't happy about Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin's prodding for them to do so. After a Friday morning meeting at which Mnuchin reportedly told Republicans to "vote for the debt ceiling for me," some Republicans went on the record about their annoyance.
Rep. Dave Brat (R-Va.) said he found Mnuchin's comments to be "not helpful" and "intellectually insulting." "He's not one of my constituents!" Rep. Ted Yoho (R-Fla.) said. Rep. Mark Walker (R-N.C.) complained that Mnuchin "could not answer" a question about what the debt ceiling would "look like in December," and described the treasury secretary's spiel as "a very arrogant lecture that turned off more of the conference." Meanwhile, Rep. Ryan Costello (R-Pa.) joked that Mnuchin's speech was "about as well received as his wife's Instagram post," referring to Mnuchin's new bride Louise Linton's recent controversial post boasting about all the expensive designer brands she was wearing.
Even before Mnuchin's pitch, Republicans weren't thrilled with the debt deal. President Trump caught his fellow party members off guard Wednesday when he signed on to Democrats' proposal for a short-term debt hike over Republican leaders' objections.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The House passed the package, which raises the debt ceiling and funds the federal government until Dec. 8 and allocates $15.25 billion for hurricane and disaster relief after Hurricane Harvey ravaged Texas and right before Hurricane Irma is expected to hit Florida. The measure was approved in a 316-90 vote. Of Republicans, 133 voted in favor, 90 voted against, and 16 didn't vote; four Texas Republicans were reportedly among those who voted no.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why are home insurance prices going up?
Today's Big Question Climate-driven weather events are raising insurers' costs
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'All too often, we get caught up in tunnel vision'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
2024: the year of legacy media failures
In the Spotlight From election criticism to continued layoffs, the media has had it rough in 2024
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Judges block $25B Kroger-Albertsons merger
Speed Read The proposed merger between the supermarket giants was stalled when judges overseeing two separate cases blocked the deal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Rupert Murdoch loses 'Succession' court battle
Speed Read Murdoch wanted to give full control of his empire to son Lachlan, ensuring Fox News' right-wing editorial slant
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Bitcoin surges above $100k in post-election rally
Speed Read Investors are betting that the incoming Trump administration will embrace crypto
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Enron mystery: 'sick joke' or serious revival?
Speed Read 23 years after its bankruptcy filing, the Texas energy firm has announced its resurrection
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US charges Indian tycoon with bribery, fraud
Speed Read Indian billionaire Gautam Adani has been indicted by US prosecutors for his role in a $265 million scheme to secure solar energy deals
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists approve contract, end strike
Speed Read The company's largest union approved the new contract offer, ending a seven-week strike
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US economy still strong in final preelection report
Speed Read It grew at a solid 2.8% annual rate from July through September
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists reject deal, continue strike
Speed Read The rejection came the same day Boeing reported a $6.2 billion quarterly loss
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published