Dems and GOP Strike Short-Term Deal on Debt, but Larger Divide Remains
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Democrats and Republicans have reached a temporary solution to the nation's debt limit dilemma, but the partisan split on how to solve the problem remains.
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y) accepted an offer Thursday from Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to raise the debt limit by $480 billion, which is expected to last into December. Eleven Republicans and the 50 Democratic senators voted to break a filibuster on the matter Thursday evening, and the actual measure then passed by a 50-48 party-line vote. It is widely expected to pass the House. Schumer later criticized Republicans, saying "they played a dangerous and risky" game by opposing the debt measure until that point. Republicans say Democrats should use budget reconciliation to raise the debt limit to a fixed amount by themselves, since they hold the majority and already plan to use the process to pass trillions of dollars in new spending. Democratic leaders say they won't, arguing that the process should be bipartisan. The U.S. Treasury previously warned of an economic recession if the limit wasn't boosted by mid-October.
Coverage across the spectrum highlighted the remaining partisan divide and ultimately unresolved debt limit issue, as well as Republican disapproval of McConnell's offer; some Republican lawmakers and right-rated voices criticized McConnell for purportedly caving to Democrats. Reports from the right also focused on Republican criticism of Schumer's comments after the speech.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
Senate votes to extend debt ceiling through early DecemberThe Senate voted 50-48 Thursday evening to extend the nation's debt limit through early December after Democrats and Republicans reached a deal to avert economic disaster following weeks of partisan deadlock over the issue.
The House will next have to approve the extension before it can be sent to President Joe Biden for his signature. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said late Thursday that the House will convene on Tuesday to vote on the bill.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Thursday morning that a deal had been reached, paving the way...
From the Left
No one likes the debt dealThe leaders of the Senate were happy Thursday with their deal to avoid a debt default. They were about the only ones.
Why it matters: The Band-Aid does nothing to solve the debt ceiling problem long term for Americans. Democrats fear it only kicks the can down the road to a very busy December. Republicans, meanwhile, are mad their party blinked.
“Why the hell would I make it easier for them to raise the debt ceiling through regular order? We had a strategy and we abandoned it," Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told CNN's Manu...
From the Right
Schumer Thanks Democrats for Solving ‘Republican-Manufactured Crisis’ after Debt-Ceiling Hike PassesSenate majority leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) railed against Republicans in a speech Thursday night after eleven GOP senators joined Democrats in breaking a filibuster on the debt-ceiling hike.
“I thank my Democratic colleagues for showing unity in solving this Republican-manufactured crisis,” Schumer said. “Despite immense opposition from Leader McConnell and members of his conference, our caucus held together, and we have pulled our country back from the cliff’s edge that Republicans tried to push us over.”
After breaking the filibuster, the Senate approved an extension of the federal debt ceiling...
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