With a Democrat inhabiting the White House, perhaps the most predictable thing about House Republicans' return to power is this: They've rediscovered their faux fiscal conservatism. A fiscal conservative advocates for small government and low taxes but is open to higher taxes if necessary to erase deficits. Yet to hear House Republicans lately, you'd think Democrats and a few RINOs were responsible for the entire $31-trillion gross federal debt. "Your" credit card, says the man who's been a member of Congress for 16 years, and in the House Republican leadership for 14. When House Republicans seriously flirted with blocking a debt ceiling increase in 2011, under Obama, the threat rocked markets.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 19, 2023 16:33 UTC