Posted on 01/27/2011 10:47:59 AM PST by jazusamo
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), a founding member of the Senate's Tea Party Caucus, has pledged to filibuster legislation to increase the debt ceiling.
Lee said a filibuster could be averted only if Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and GOP leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) reach an agreement to pass a balanced-budget amendment through the Senate.
"I'm against raising the debt ceiling and so I'm resisting it," Lee said after the inaugural meeting of the Senate Tea Party Caucus in the Hart building on Thursday morning.
"The only scenario in which I can imagine not using the filibuster is if the leadership of both parties agree that as a condition of that they would first pass out a balanced-budget amendment."
A senior Senate Republican aide said unless Congress votes to increase the debt limit by $2 trillion next month, Congress may have to vote two more times this year to increase the federal government's authority to borrow.
Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) has also said he will oppose legislation to raise the debt limit unless the Senate first passes a balanced-budget amendment. Passage of the amendment would need support from two-thirds of the Senate.
Such an amendment, which would require the federal government to balance its books annually, would not take effect for several years in order to give states time to ratify the amendment.
Senate aides say they expect a balanced-budget amendment could pass the House. It failed to pass the Senate by a single vote in the past.
Senate GOP aides say a promise from leaders to merely allow a vote on the balanced budget amendment would not be sufficient to win over conservatives such as DeMint and Lee.
LOL! No one can be confused with that brainless member of the House, Cynthia's gone. :-)
My, oh my. After the inaugural meeting of the TP Caucus. Well, we certainly don’t want those politicians taking over this grassroots movement as Rubio noted.
So far, DeMint Paul and Lee are the only three I’ve seen make serious noise in the Senate about attacking this deficit in a meaningful fashion...and all three are so far the founding and only members of the TP Caucus.
Agreed.
Unfortunately, I think it’s unrealistic to think that the country can go cold turkey on government spending in just one year.
Yeah, but I still rankle at the “unless”. The answer should be no, hell no, not under any circumstances, hunh-uh.
We need to live within our means. Period.
Colonel, USAFR
The Mothership knows exactly where she is at all times.
Why has the Treasury and Fed gone to the effort of issuing debt in the first place? Why not just print up the cash?
My fear is that one way they will handle a filibusterer on debt would be to directly devalue the dollar and issue a new series of currency. Kind of like a preferred stock offering.
The old debt would simply be paid off with new currency.
I sure hope some others will join in, they’re looking out for our nation.
True.
Yeah !
...for those interested. :D
Let's hope Rand, works to make us proud..and here's some great graphs.
hopefully his Libertarian streak wont get in the way of conservatives supporting his stand...hopefully Rand Paul will not waiver in his efforts...
Thanks for the graphs, they’re a real eye opener for those that don’t realize what’s been taking place.
Oh my, a set of gonads in the Senate with an (R) attached, its about time.
Gitt’r done!!
Do NOT remain seated until this ride comes to a full and complete stop! We’re going the wrong way!
I just read that another joined the Caucus, Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0111/48302.html
the lone voice in the wilderness is a start, but needs support, and or pitchforks...
am i still allowed to say 'pitchforks' ???
Nice Charts...
That’s a little surprising as Moran beat Tiahart in the primary who was considered to be more conservative (if only marginally). But that’s great as it means that Moran is serious about getting things under control. Toomey was at the little meet and greet as well even though he hasn’t joined yet.
The more the merrier.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.