Incoming White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized the importance of Republican unity in raising or eliminating the debt ceiling, framing it as a crucial step to prevent Democrats from obstructing President-elect Trump's agenda. Speaking on "Sunday Morning Futures," Leavitt affirmed Trump's full support for addressing the debt limit promptly.

Leavitt highlighted the recently passed continuing resolution, secured with President Trump's involvement, which provides aid to farmers and disaster relief. However, she stressed the urgency of tackling the debt ceiling upon Republicans' return to Capitol Hill in January. She characterized it as the Democrats' last remaining obstacle to hindering Trump's policy goals.

Leavitt underscored the American people's resounding re-election of President Trump as a mandate to implement his agenda, including securing the southern border, streamlining permitting processes, bolstering the American energy sector, and restoring peace through strength in foreign policy. Achieving these objectives, she argued, hinges on resolving the debt ceiling issue.

Last week, amidst efforts to avert a government shutdown, Trump urged House Republicans to support legislation raising the debt limit. However, resistance from some Republicans, concerned about the national debt exceeding $36 trillion, revealed a tension between fiscal conservatism and the need for greater spending flexibility to enact Trump's plans.

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), who voted in favor of the stopgap funding bill signed by President Biden, acknowledged the necessity of addressing the debt ceiling soon, given its projected limit next year. Echoing Trump's stance, Lawler advocated for lifting the debt ceiling, emphasizing the obligation to pay previously incurred debts.

Lawler also critiqued the use of the debt ceiling as a political tool, observing that the U.S. is one of the few countries with such a mechanism. He argued that it has become a recurring point of leverage for the minority party in negotiations, and Trump aims to prevent Democrats from using it to obstruct his agenda.