Reps. Grimm (left) and Rivera had previously been opposed to raising the debt limit. | AP Photos Republicans who said no, then yes

Florida Rep. David Rivera said it would be “very difficult,” if not “next to impossible” to change his position on a debt ceiling increase. New York’s Michael Grimm said “it simply is not an option,” to raise the debt limit. Arkansas Rep. Rick Crawford once said he was “absolutely opposed to” the president’s request for a debt ceiling increase.

But all of them effectively voted for a debt ceiling increase Friday night, along with several other House Republicans who have suggested either in public statements or pledges that they would not vote for such a hike under the conditions laid out in Speaker John Boehner’s bill.


Republican House members have given a number of reasons over the last week for voting for the plan. Many of the 115 members who signed the Cut, Cap, and Balance pledge, which sets strict guidelines for a vote to raise the debt ceiling—have said that the Boehner plan continues the spirit of that pledge, cutting more than the amount needed to raise the debt ceiling and enforcing caps on future spending. And they’re satisfied that they’ll get a real shot at passing the Balanced Budget Amendment.

“I’m a conservative, you guys say I’m a pretty hard-line conservative, and as I said, I’m going to support this,” Allen West told reporters this week when asked if it met the criteria set out by his pledge.

Some of the lawmakers who previously appeared to take a hard line said their position has always been more nuanced. Grimm spokeswoman Carol Danko said Grimm “always said he would vote for a debt limit increase, as long as it’s paired with cuts. His position hasn’t changed, and that is why he’s supporting the Boehner plan.”

“Congressman Crawford is opposed to raising the debt ceiling, however it must be done because of the reckless spending of past Congresses,” said Anna Nix, spokeswoman for Crawford.“Congressman Crawford would only agree to a debt limit increase if the legislation included permanent structural reforms to the way Washington operates. The legislation the congressman supports includes those reforms,” Nix said.

Other members tried to argue that their alternative was more responsible then the Democratic plan. “By cutting more spending than it raises in debt, while not raising taxes, and including a balanced budget constitutional amendment, Speaker Boehner’s plan provides the only alternative to President Obama’s and the liberal Senate’s irresponsible tax and spend approach to increase the debt,” Leslie Viega, Rivera’s spokeswoman said.

California Rep. Jeff Denham told a liberal blogger this year “absolutely” when asked if he thought he’d vote against a debt ceiling increase. New Jersey Rep. Leonard Lance said in a statement on his website that he would “oppose raising the debt limit without first passing a real balanced budget plan that puts the Nation on a glide path toward fiscal responsibility,” a sentiment echoed by the Republicans who signed the Cut, Cap and Balance pledge.

“Rep. Denham already voted against a clean raise on the debt ceiling. Today he voted to control spending and taxes, reduce the debt on future generations and ensure a balanced budget amendment that will prevent Washington from continuing to spend money it does not have,” Denham spokeswoman Allie Brandenburger said.

Still, Boehner’s plan wasn’t good enough for some who had signed the pledge—part of the reason it was held up Thursday night, leaving leadership to scramble for votes. “I believe like a lot of us do that what we passed last week, Cut Cap and Balance is what we need to hold firmly behind, especially passing the balance budget amendment,” Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.) said.