Posted on 10/30/2013 12:29:02 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
The House on Wednesday passed a resolution that disapproves of President Obama's decision to suspend the debt ceiling until early February.
The House passed the disapproval resolution, H.J.Res. 99, in a 222-191 vote. Three Democrats voted for it, while four Republicans voted against it and two GOP members voted "present."
Democrats voting in favor were Reps. John Barrow (Ga.), Jim Matheson (Utah), and Mike McIntyre (N.C.). Republicans voting against were Reps. Charlie Dent (Pa.), Joe Heck (Nev.), Darrell Issa (Calif.), and Peter King (N.Y.).
Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Reid Ribble (R-Wis.) voted "present."
The resolution was the result of the debt-ceiling bill Congress approved earlier in the month. That bill gave Obama the right to suspend the debt ceiling on his own, a move that could only be checked by House and Senate passage of a disapproval resolution.
That's the same system Congress relied on in 2012, when Obama raised the debt ceiling on his own. Days later, the House passed a disapproval resolution, and the Senate rejected it.
The Senate's rejection of an identical GOP resolution on Tuesday made today's House vote meaningless in terms of changing policy. In Tuesday debate, Republicans acknowledged that the value of the resolution was in ensuring some debate on the need to cut government spending and reduce the budget deficit and the debt.
"This is a messaging bill," said Rep. Todd Young (R-Ind.), adding that this should not be seen as a negative. "The message that I am trying to drive home is that these debt problems have lingered on too long."
Young added that just because many Republicans voted to avoid a government default earlier this month, "it would be a gross mischaracterization to say that we approve of a debt-limit suspension absent adoption of bold policy reforms that will set our nation on a sustainable fiscal trajectory."
Democrats said Republicans were actually sending another message — that they are fine with calling up the resolution and raising the prospect of a congressional decision not to increase the debt ceiling.
"What it says is that you would do it again in connection with the debt ceiling," said House Ways & Means Committee ranking member Sandy Levin (D-Mich.). "So that is your message. And you would do that; you would take us to the brink of default."
Another Democrat, Rep. Mike Honda (D-Calif.), said he was fine with the process that allows the president to increase the national debt, and only allows Congress a chance to disapprove of it. Senate Democrats are proposing a bill that would make this the permanent way the debt limit is increased, and Honda said he supports it.
"I support this process, and I hope my colleagues will support my efforts to make it the permanent solution to the debt crisis," he said. "I urge a 'no' vote on the resolution, but I support this process that allows it."
Other Republicans agreed that a conversation is needed on how to reduce the deficit and debt. Rep. Tim Griffin (R-Ark.) added that Republicans are not seeking a default, but rather a discussion.
"I want to be clear: this is not a resolution for default," he said. "This is an opportunity to talk about how we have got to, when raising the debt ceiling, deal with the underlying drivers of the debt."
Congress’ motto should be “Always taking the easy way out.”
Maybe somebody can put that into latin. Semper Exitus Facilis or something like that. lol
Obama can rule by fiat. The constitution’s limits are gone.
The senate is Obama’s b!tch and the house is not far behind. There are patriots in both houses, but in the aggregate, the careful framework of our framers is gone.
We, the sovereign people have the constitutional means to reverse course. It is time to use Article V.
congress relinquished its last effective power, the power of the purse to Obama
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Absolutely true. Some on FR, including myself, noted this sad development. The congress has abdicated what little power it once had along with one of the key reasons for its own being. An amazingly self-destrucive act by people who see themselves as special yet who shun their most basic responsibilities.
There is no authority in the Constitution for any Congress to impair the authorities of a future Congress. The next House would begin on its first day with exclusive authority over the purse strings of the nation.
My fear is how Wash DC runs on precedence. Not long ago, congress passed appropriations, as it had for hundreds of years. The pubbies tried to last month and were abused into submission. Continuing resolutions appear to be the new norm.
At the risk of sounding like a cop out, my answer to your question would be that patriots should continue speaking out against the abuse of power by the executive branch and participate in protests at every opportunity (i.e., Tea Party events). Keep the pressure on. We will be proven right as unchecked spending will eventually lead to an economic calamity. That event is inevitable and will be a game changer IMO. And it may not be far away.
I think the House should completely shut off the money spigot and tell the left to pound sand, we run the House. I have no idea how it will play in the 2014 elections however.
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