Republicans prepare to filibuster debt limit -- again
Senate Democrats and Republicans stirred with activity ahead of the GOP's blockade of a debt ceiling increase on Wednesday afternoon, with both parties planning to privately discuss the biggest problem facing Washington as a calamitous default draws near.
For the third time in two weeks, Senate Republicans will reject Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's efforts to lift the debt ceiling, or the cap on what the government borrows to pay the bills. Democrats need 10 Republican votes Wednesday afternoon to proceed with debt limit-lifting legislation, which they could then approve with a simple majority. But GOP senators are resolute in not helping the majority tackle the borrowing limit as Democrats pursue multitrillion-dollar spending plans.
Democratic leaders will use the failed vote to continue hammering Republicans as irresponsible for gambling with an issue that often necessitates bipartisan cooperation and could have enormous consequences for the global economy. Meanwhile, the Biden administration has said the Treasury Department could run out money in as little as two weeks. Before the vote, Senate Democrats had been planning to huddle in a special caucus meeting to discuss the approaching debt cliff.
"Democrats have been clear from the start, we'll do the responsible thing," Schumer said on the floor Wednesday morning. "Republican obstruction on the debt ceiling has been reckless, irresponsible, but nonetheless today Republicans will have an opportunity to get what they've been asking for ... simply get out of the way and we can agree to skip the filibuster vote and so we can proceed to final passage of this bill."
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/republicans-prepare-to-filibuster-debt-limit-again/ar-AAPcPgB