Quote

With a possible default now projected as soon as June 1, Democrats on Tuesday began taking steps to deploy the secret weapon they have been holding in reserve. They started the process of trying to force a debt-limit increase bill to the floor through a so-called discharge petition that could bypass Republican leaders who have refused to raise the ceiling unless President Biden agrees to spending cuts and policy changes.

“House Democrats are working to make sure we have all options at our disposal to avoid a default,” Representative Hakeem Jeffries, Democrat of New York and the minority leader, wrote in a letter he sent to colleagues on Tuesday. “The filing of a debt ceiling measure to be brought up on the discharge calendar preserves an important option. It is now time for MAGA Republicans to act in a bipartisan manner to pay America’s bills without extreme conditions.”

An emergency rule Democrats introduced on Tuesday, during a pro forma session held while the House is in recess, would start the clock on a process that would allow them to begin collecting signatures as soon as May 16 on such a petition, which can force action on a bill if a majority of members sign on. The open-ended rule would provide a vehicle to bring Mr. DeSaulnier’s bill to the floor and amend it with a Democratic proposal — which has yet to be written — to resolve the debt limit crisis.

The strategy is no silver bullet, and Democrats concede it is a long shot. Gathering enough signatures to force a bill to the floor would take at least five Republicans willing to cross party lines if all Democrats signed on, a threshold that Democrats concede will be difficult to reach. They have yet to settle on the debt ceiling proposal itself, and for the strategy to succeed, Democrats would likely need to negotiate with a handful of mainstream Republicans to settle on a measure they could accept.

A handful of hard-right Republicans explicitly warned their colleagues on Tuesday not to go down that path. “House Republicans: don’t defect!” Senator Mike Lee of Utah wrote on Twitter.

Still, Democrats argue that the prospect of a successful effort could force House Republicans into a more acceptable deal. And Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen’s announcement on Monday that a potential default was only weeks away spurred Democratic leaders to act.

Quote
Mr645
Biden wants $2 trillion in spending, Republicans want much less.

Personally I lean toward the Republicans, the spending has to stop.

To get this to pass, Biden has to lobby/bribe 5 Republicans

Quote
Speedy

Quote
Mr645
Biden wants $2 trillion in spending, Republicans want much less.

Personally I lean toward the Republicans, the spending has to stop.

To get this to pass, Biden has to lobby/bribe 5 Republicans

Gee, it seems Congress has already passed the spending measures and the president has signed them into law. Why do Republicans always want to break the law when we have a Democratic president? Republicans don’t do this when there is a Republican president.

Quote

"Unfortunately, Congress consistently brings the government to the edge of default before facing its responsibility. This brinkmanship threatens the holders of government bonds and those who rely on Social Security and veterans benefits. Interest rates would skyrocket, instability would occur in financial markets, and the federal deficit would soar. The United States has a special responsibility to itself and the world to meet its obligations. It means we have a well-earned reputation for reliability and credibility -- two things that set us apart from much of the world."

Quote
Mr645

Quote
Speedy

Quote
Mr645
Biden wants $2 trillion in spending, Republicans want much less.

Personally I lean toward the Republicans, the spending has to stop.

To get this to pass, Biden has to lobby/bribe 5 Republicans

Gee, it seems Congress has already passed the spending measures and the president has signed them into law. Why do Republicans always want to break the law when we have a Democratic president? Republicans don’t do this when there is a Republican president.

The country is broke, $32 trillion in debt, we have to stop spending. 8% of all federal income goes toward interest on the debt. Time to tighten the belt

Quote
Acer
These calls for cuts are going to hurt the plans presented elsewhere on this board vis a vis firearm homicide. Better mental health support, arming and training teachers, hardening of security at soft targets and more prison space for the longer sentences for the violently inclined--these things all cost money.

Quote
pdq

Quote
Acer
These calls for cuts are going to hurt the plans presented elsewhere on this board vis a vis firearm homicide. Better mental health support, arming and training teachers, hardening of security at soft targets and more prison space for the longer sentences for the violently inclined--these things all cost money.

Well, we wouldn’t cut those things. Or Defense. Or agricultural subsidies or fossil fuel subsidies. Or my Social Secuity check. And keep government’s hands off of my Medicare.

Just the “waste”. Or any money that goes to people who aren’t me.

Quote
Ombligo
The party before country politicos could force the default in order to trigger the recession. Then they will blame Biden all in an effort to get the White House in 2024. Then by 2028 the natural cycle will bring the economy back to where it is today and they will take full credit for a glorious improvement.

The gullible public will buy into as well

Quote
Speedy

Quote
Mr645

Quote
Speedy

Quote
Mr645
Biden wants $2 trillion in spending, Republicans want much less.

Personally I lean toward the Republicans, the spending has to stop.

To get this to pass, Biden has to lobby/bribe 5 Republicans

Gee, it seems Congress has already passed the spending measures and the president has signed them into law. Why do Republicans always want to break the law when we have a Democratic president? Republicans don’t do this when there is a Republican president.

The country is broke, $32 trillion in debt, we have to stop spending. 8% of all federal income goes toward interest on the debt. Time to tighten the belt

Don’t authorize the spending in the first place if you want belt tightening.

Quote
pdq

Quote
Acer
These calls for cuts are going to hurt the plans presented elsewhere on this board vis a vis firearm homicide. Better mental health support, arming and training teachers, hardening of security at soft targets and more prison space for the longer sentences for the violently inclined--these things all cost money.

Well, we wouldn’t cut those things. Or Defense. Or my Social Secuity check. And keep government’s hands off of my Medicare.

Just the “waste”. Or any money that goes to people who aren’t me.

Quote
GGD
How about focusing on the states that get more federal aid than they collect in federal taxes.

Quote
Mr645

The only real area left with enough budget to make a difference is military. Taxes really need to go back up, government needs to tighten the belt across the board, we need big cuts to military spending and foreign aid. When the credit card is maxed out, you don't go out for steak dinner

Quote
Mr645
The country is broke, $32 trillion in debt, we have to stop spending. 8% of all federal income goes toward interest on the debt. Time to tighten the belt

Quote
Mr645

Quote
pdq

Quote
Acer
These calls for cuts are going to hurt the plans presented elsewhere on this board vis a vis firearm homicide. Better mental health support, arming and training teachers, hardening of security at soft targets and more prison space for the longer sentences for the violently inclined--these things all cost money.

Well, we wouldn’t cut those things. Or Defense. Or my Social Secuity check. And keep government’s hands off of my Medicare.

Just the “waste”. Or any money that goes to people who aren’t me.

The only real area left with enough budget to make a difference is military. Taxes really need to go back up, government needs to tighten the belt across the board, we need big cuts to military spending and foreign aid. When the credit card is maxed out, you don't go out for steak dinner