Posted on 07/14/2011 2:40:54 PM PDT by Qbert
After introducing his controversial contingency plan, Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) is working with majority leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) to craft a “hybrid” solution that would allow the debt ceiling to rise and include a modest amount of spending cuts:
WASHINGTON — The Senate’s top two officials are working on what one aide called a “hybrid,” fail-safe solution to the debt ceiling debate that could garner enough political support to pass Congress.
The plan, which is being hatched by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), would ensure that over $1.5 trillion in cuts over ten years be passed into law. It would also grant President Obama the authority to extend the debt ceiling through the 2012 election season while requiring him to propose — but allowing him to ultimately veto — cuts beyond those initial $1.5 trillion.
Additionally, the deal would create a new “deficit commission” compromised solely of lawmakers who would be tasked with finding additional savings in the budget. The commission’s recommendations would be given automatic, amendment-free votes in both chambers of Congress.
First reported by The Washington Post, the plan is far from complete. A Republican source on the Hill cautioned not to treat it as an official option, let alone a top one. “There are a lot of people with a lot of ideas,” the source said. A Democratic source said that the language — let alone composition — of each part of the deal remains un-finalized.
More here.
So here we are, more than seven months after the Bowles-Simpson commission released its final recommendations ($4 trillion in deficit reduction over 10 years), and the best the Senate can come up with is $1.5 trillion in cuts and yet another deficit commission. At least we’re making progress.
Need I say more?...
The utter idiocy of McConnell even proposing such is mindboggling. =.=
Running out of boxes...
Democrat political strategy:
Sit back and do nothing until the GOP finally gives us everything that we want.
I’m sure you still have cartridge boxes, correct?
“It would also grant President Obama the authority to extend the debt ceiling through the 2012 election season”
And the next debt ceiling vote would be done in lame duck season.
Both of these tools are from dinky backwater states too...McConnell better not be the leader if the gop takes the senate..
McConnell is making his own deal which is loaded with lies, promises, and bull shit.
Not only are they willing to abdicate their responsibilities to the President (which is unconstitutional) but they want to create another dam bureaucracy that has automatic votes in Congress? Can they get any stupider?
Additionally, the deal would create a new “deficit commission” compromised solely of lawmakers who would be tasked with finding additional savings in the budget. The commission’s recommendations would be given automatic, amendment-free votes in both chambers of Congress.
“Frog and Peach”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fY-M41FGzI&feature=related
Ammo box................always works..............
It’s not surprising. It’s very obvious that the deal will be nothing but spending cuts. Democrats won’t agree to the full amount of the debt ceiling increase because that would be seen as caving to the Republican’s demand.
The White House announced today that $1.5 T of spending cuts have been agreed to by the White House and Congressional negotiators. So the Senate leaders are putting that into a bill.
Oh and I don’t think a bureacracy with automatic votes in Congress is Constitutional either.
McConnell is yearning to be the MOST Useful of Idiots.
And Barry wouldn’t even consider the recommendations of his own hand-picked debt commission the first time around. What makes them think he would care a lick about this one?
No he is not. Boner and his 3 Amigos are in on it. It will take a bi-partisan effort to sell us out and save the Ponzi for 2 more years. The GOP in the Senate is not about to give up the minority status it now enjoys. Boner and company are desperate to shed the responsibility they have in the House.
How about this? No budget in place, then no debt ceiling increase. Put forth a budget, in writing, like everyone in the real world is required to do when applying for a loan from anyone.
I think ALL the senate rides the short bus.
If a deal like this passes both Houses, we won't have to worry about taking the Senate. Our bigger worry will be to avoid losing the House. The GOP will self destruct as other than a lapdog opposition and a third party will be born. Obama will win a second term and McConnell will get rewarded as a Quisling.
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