GOPers new strategy for debt ceiling abdicates congressional responsibility

I am speechless!

This is typical political game playing and the people are sick of it. The problem with this plan other than passing the buck to Obama for political purposes, is that Republicans are too comfortable with the idea of raising the debt limit when it shouldn’t be raised at all.

The Politico

Desperate to get out of the political box they helped to create, Senate Republicans are actively pursuing a new plan under which the debt ceiling would grow in three increments over the remainder of this Congress unless lawmakers approve a veto-proof resolution of disapproval.

In effect lawmakers would be surrendering the very power of approval that the GOP has used to force the debt crisis now. But by taking the disapproval route, Republicans can shift the onus more onto the White House and Democrats since a two-thirds majority will be needed to stop any increase that President Barack Obama requests.

“It gives the president 100 percent of the responsibility for increasing the debt limit if he chooses not to have any spending reductions,” Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander, the Republican Conference chairman, told reporters Tuesday.

How the plan will sit with House Republicans is unclear. But it offers an escape valve for those in the Senate GOP who fear that if the current crisis persists they will be forced to accept some tax revenue increases as part of any settlement.

Indeed with the August 2 deadline approaching, the new option testified to the darkening outlook in Washington and a growing concern among Senate leaders in both parties that the debt debate has spun out of control.

Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) acknowledged at a news conference Tuesday that the new plan would not ensure Republicans would get the trillions in spending cuts they’ve been seeking, and he noted that his party has become “increasingly pessimistic” that it can reach a debt deal with Obama.

More here

Memeorandum