Solving Debt Ceiling & Storm Aid in One Swift Move

[macwriter]

If this worked, it could create a coalition that would bypass GOP "leadership" and the Tea Party Caucus in the House. I guess it all depends on how upset and alienated Northeast GOP members feel from the Hurricane Sandy Aid slap in the face, considering Boehner is waffling on bringing up a clean bill and his caucus saying they will stuff it with poison pill spending cuts amendments that Democrats won't vote for.

http://www.lawyerpolitician.com/debt


POLITICS: How to Avert Debt Ceiling Crisis AND Pass NE Storm Aid Passage -- Seriously

It’s like watching a train wreck. The GOP led House of Representatives seem determined to do two things in the next 30 to 60 days: vote against raising the debt ceiling and deny the Northeast much-needed Hurricane Sandy relief. The line they've drawn in the sand is alienating Northeast Republicans. And therein lies the solution to honoring the U.S. debt and helping storm ravaged states rebuild.

<snip>

The answer is a discharge petition circulated by Nancy Pelosi combining raising the debt ceiling with aid to the Northeast. There are 26 GOP House members who represent the Middle Atlantic states. If a majority of these representatives joined a united Democratic caucus in signing the discharge petition, it would have enough signatures to force Boehner to bring the bill to the floor for an up-or-down vote. Once that happens, it would surely pass.

<snip>

[leanforward]

1. The Debt limit and Sandy Relief

I'm for it. I was wondering when the 201 Dems and the 26 Northeast GOPers would get together. I'll have to hand the "Guts" award to those 26 GOPers doing that in the face of their party. But, more importantly, they are looking out for the interest of their constituents. And including the debt limit is looking out for the greater good of the American People. This would create longer term economic stability in the economy. Stability for investment in jobs.

[pnwmom]

2. Sounds like an interesting idea. They should go for it! n/t

[politicaljunkie41910]

3. Sounds to me like the solution you are suggesting is that the Dems blackmail

the Repubs opposing an increase in the debt ceiling without cuts in spending by joining together with the 26 Repubs representing the Mid Atlantic States to defeat the GOP opposing the storm aid, in order to receive an increase in the debt ceiling. Do we really want to go down that road? Besides there are Democratic congressional men and women in those Mid Atlantic states as well, what about them? I don't think the Dems should get into the business of trading disaster relief for raising the debt ceiling. If they do they will have stooped to the level of the Repubs who are withholding the federal aid, as well as refusing to raise the debt limit.

The Dems have the moral high ground on both issues already in that, we have never played politics with disaster relief in the past and we shouldn't start now. We also haven't required offsets in the budget to pay for the disaster relief in the past and shouldn't set a precedence now by holding disaster relief hostage. Secondly, President Obama has said that he will not negotiate with the Repubs to raise the debt ceiling because to due so, not only hurts him, but sets a precedence for future presidents down the road.

Congress approved the debt when they originally passed the spending bills and appropriated the funding. Now they should pay the bills they voted to incur and shut up. If paying the bills require raising the debt ceiling limit than they should do it. If they didn't want to pay the bill when it came due, they shouldn't have authorized the spending bill and they shouldn't have appropriated the funding; two separate actions. President Obama is correct that you shouldn't give in to blackmail and hostage takers and Democratic party should not be a party to blackmail and hostage taking either.