House Republican leadership met heavy resistance from GOP members after presenting a plan on Monday that would extend the debt limit for one year in exchange for restoring recently cut military benefits, sources told NBC News.
The plan would extend the Treasury’s borrowing authority, which is set to expire at the end of the month, through March 2015 and also repeal planned cuts in some military pensions.
To pay for that, House GOP leaders suggested extending a Medicare cut that is already part of the budget sequester for another year.
A majority of Republicans who spoke during the meeting dismissed the measure, according to sources in attendance. One estimated to NBC News that only 40 to 50 members of the House GOP would support it and it would need a lot of Democratic help to pass.
Another Republican said they are going to have to lobby hard for support and see if members of the House GOP realize that not passing their own bill means the House will have to take what the Senate says.
House leadership set the wheels in motion for a Wednesday vote.
Many conservative members were angry about the deal, saying it was a total surrender to Democrats and would increase the debt.
Sources say Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., stood before the conference and screamed, "What kind of team is this?" He urged his colleagues to rally and support the proposed deal and he received some applause.