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“There is no reason for this. I don’t think anyone here sees that as an advantage, ”said Senator Angus King (I-Maine). “There is no earthly reason why we cannot do this.”
President Nancy Pelosi’s staff told House Democratic chiefs of staff on Monday that they were confident they would be able to maintain government funding this week, Democratic sources said. But first, Democrats want to try and make it clear that Republicans would be solely responsible for a debt debacle and a government shutdown.
“After today, there will be no doubt which party will strive to solve the problems facing our country and which party is accelerating us towards unnecessary and preventable disaster,” the majority leader told the Senate, Chuck Schumer. “Republicans will solidify for a long time as a default party.
Democrats have several options for moving forward to avoid a shutdown. They can pass a two- or three-week short-term interim spending bill and try to align the due October date for a potential default. Republicans say this option will not move them.
Or, they can just remove the debt limit provision and come up with a law to fund the government for two months, which is the easiest route. It would also likely force Democrats to start preparing themselves for raising the debt ceiling.
Monday’s ill-fated vote on a spending proposal also includes funding for disaster relief in hurricane-hit states like Louisiana and aid for Afghan refugees. House Democrats withdrew $ 1 billion for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system from their bill earlier this month, but a contingent of Senate Democrats are keen to add it. Some House leadership officials are hopeful that Schumer will keep funding for Iron Dome missile defense to keep progressives happy.
The doomed vote comes as Republicans in the Senate have signaled for months that they will oppose the suspension of the debt ceiling, arguing that Democrats have the means to do so on their own if they want to adopt their $ 3.5 trillion social spending plan. Republicans say Democrats should remove the debt ceiling from the measure to keep government doors open, add Iron Dome funding and raise the debt ceiling via the party line’s budget reconciliation maneuver.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Republicans would easily help pass a spending bill that doesn’t hit the debt ceiling to avoid a shutdown, but again insisted his party block any increase in the debt ceiling. He said he would present his proposal before Monday night’s failed vote.
Even though Senate Republicans have the voices to sink the bill, some are still keeping their decision on the waistcoat.
“We should act immediately on a RC’s proposal to prevent a government shutdown later this week, as well as urgent disaster assistance for hurricane-hit states, resettlement assistance for Afghan allies and the replenishment of the Iron Dome silver for Israel. This package could be adopted today, ”said Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine).
But Democrats counter that much of the new debt was incurred under the Trump administration and that it would set a problematic precedent. Democrats also point out that they raised the debt ceiling three times when former President Donald Trump was in power and the vast majority of debt ceiling increases have been bipartisan.
In modern Congress, it’s common to be days – if not hours – away from a government shutdown without a clear plan to avoid a funding deadline. Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama, the chamber’s top Republican official, said he was confident Senate leaders will eventually find ways to avoid the two budget cliffs before unrest ensues.
“In the end – I don’t know when it will be now – that we will have a [continuing resolution], and we’ll determine the debt limit, ”said Shelby, who has served in Congress for more than 40 years. “It’s not new here.”
Heather Caygle and Jennifer Scholtes contributed to this report.
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