Democratic groups are seizing on the negotiations over the debt ceiling in campaign ads to target vulnerable Republicans in districts President Joe Biden won in 2020.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee launched a website on Friday attacking freshman Republicans in New York whose midterm election wins in 2022 helped the GOP win control of the House, targeting the lawmakers for their stances on the debt limit. The website, www.GOPVotedToDefault.com, criticizes the Republicans for their vote to support House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s debt limit bill, accusing them of wanting to slash critical government programs.
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“These increasingly vulnerable Republicans sided with extremists to hold our economy hostage and enact cruel cuts to programs that keep Americans safe, secure, and healthy,” the DCCC said in a statement. “On top of the dangerous cuts, the ‘Default on America Act’ would trigger a job-killing recession, gut Americans’ hard-earned retirement savings, and increase unemployment.”
The website specifically targets Reps. Nick LaLota, George Santos, and Anthony D’Esposito, who each flipped crucial seats in the Empire State during the midterm elections. They’re each expected to run for reelection in some of the most competitive districts in the 2024 cycle.
Outside Democratic groups are also getting in on the action, releasing attack ads that accuse the vulnerable freshmen of “pushing America into default.”
One ad running in New York targets Reps. Marc Molinaro (R-NY) and Brandon Williams (R-NY) for their votes supporting McCarthy’s debt limit bill, accusing them of pushing the country closer to defaulting on its loans. The ad claims the spending bill would cut funding for education and veterans’ healthcare, assertions Republicans have denied.
The ads come amid a debt ceiling standoff between McCarthy and Biden as the two continue to navigate negotiations to avoid a default before a looming deadline next month. The pair met on Tuesday, along with other congressional leaders, to appoint members of McCarthy’s and Biden’s offices to lead negotiations.
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McCarthy told reporters earlier this week that not much progress has been made, but the speaker later walked those comments back to say he was optimistic a deal could be made in the coming days, with a House vote as early as next week. However, that timeline could be considered too ambitious as both sides remain unwilling to budge on their demands.
Also throwing a possible wrench into the timeline is the Senate’s recess, which is scheduled to take place next week. However, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) told lawmakers on Thursday to be prepared to return to Washington, D.C., within 24 hours' notice should a deal be made next week.