McCarthy Plays Risky Debt Ceiling Gamble to Win Over Conservatives

House Republicans drafted a bill to raise the debt ceiling, with a five-vote majority that included conservative spending cuts.
The Freedom Caucus demanded cuts including gutting the Inflation Reduction Act in exchange for their support.
The bill is unlikely to pass in the Senate but gives Republicans leverage to negotiate with Democrats.
McCarthy's leadership style of appeasing the far right earned loyalty but left him vulnerable.
McCarthy empowered conservatives who opposed his speakership to pass the plan, which he must now keep happy in fiscal talks with Biden.