Dems Accept GOP's Short-term Debt Limit Extension Offer

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) accepted an offer Thursday from Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to raise the debt limit into December. 

McConnell said his offer gives Democrats time to increase the debt limit through budget reconciliation, which would allow it to pass without any GOP votes. Multiple Democrats reportedly indicated support for the deal Wednesday, though they oppose using reconciliation to raise the debt limit. Some Democrats see McConnell's offer as giving them more time to work out the spending package, which is currently held up by centrist Democrats who oppose the $3.5 trillion price tag. Other Democrats have accused McConnell and Republicans of politicizing the debt ceiling situation instead of acting quickly to avoid a potential economic recession. McConnell has repeatedly told Democrats to raise the debt limit with reconciliation since they already plan to use it to pass the Biden administration's multi-trillion dollar spending package.

The news was covered prominently across the political media spectrum, with most reports highlighting how Democrats were unsatisfied with the proposal but ultimately planned to accept and delay the issue. Coverage from right-rated sources sometimes framed the news as McConnell having "called Democrats' bluff." Reports from left-rated outlets sometimes highlighted remarks from Democratic lawmakers who said McConnell caved to Democratic demands to stop delaying action on the debt ceiling. Updated 10/7/21 at 11:05 a.m. to include Schumer's acceptance.