Both parties have made their opening bids in the battle over raising the statutory debt limit. CQ Roll's David Lerman, Paul M. Krawzak and Aidan Quigley outline the political dynamics in the Republican push for spending cuts and pledges to protect Social Security and Medicare. They also assess how new members could influence spending bills in the Appropriations Committees.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices