GBPUSD TECHS: Trading Above Support

RRP usage continues to recede, $185.144B this afternoon from $208.296 Tuesday. Compares to $98.356B on Friday, December 20 - the lowest level since mid-April 2021. The number of counterparties slips to 48 from 56.

Axios reports that a handful of deficit hawks from the House Freedom Caucus could sink the entire Republican agenda if House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) follows through with plans to attach a debt ceiling hike to a huge multi-item reconciliation bill. 

• Axios notes that Reps. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) and Tim Burchett (R-TN) "have never voted to increase the debt ceiling," with Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA) noting: "I heard that there are three people that will not vote for a debt ceiling lift, which already kills the bill,"
• On the other side of the ledger, a group of blue-state moderate Republicans have vowed to oppose any reconciliation package that doesn’t include Trump’s pledge to lift the cap on State and Local Tax deductions (SALT).
• Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) told reporters yesterday he's "been very clear from the start that I will not support a tax bill that does not lift the [SALT] cap". Of course, the inclusion of a SALT hike is likely to add hundreds of billions of dollars to the deficit and risk a more severe conservative rebellion.
• President-elect Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Senate Republicans today at 18:00 ET 23:00 GMT and then with House Republicans on Saturday to determine final strategy for legislation.
• Punchbowl News notes that oscillation over strategy has put the GOP behind schedule for an incoming administration: "Eight years ago, the Senate had already passed a budget resolution — the first step in the process — before Trump even took office.”

Treasury futures climbing higher, USH5 currently 112-07 (+2) after the $22B 30Y auction reopen (912810UE6) stops .7bp through: 4.913% high yield vs. 4.920% WI; 2.52x bid-to-cover vs. 2.39x in the prior month.

• Peripheral measures has indirect take-up 66.63% vs. 66.53% prior; direct bidder take-up 20.71% vs. 19.10% prior; primary dealer take-up 12.66% vs. 14.37% prior.
• The next 30Y auction is tentatively scheduled for February 13.