WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 (UPI) — The House Wednesday approved a temporary suspension of the debt ceiling, removing the threat of default on U.S. obligations.
The measure now goes to the Senate where Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said action on the bill would be taken immediately.
The White House said President Obama would sign the measure even though he would prefer a long-term deal.
The suspension through May 19, which passed 285-144, is conditional on the U.S. Senate passing a budget resolution by mid-April.
“Today I’m pleased that Speaker [John] Boehner’s House colleagues have decided to change course and pass a bill that diffuses yet another fight over the debt ceiling,” Reid told reporters. Reid, however, called the budget requirement a meaningless gimmick, The Hill reported.
The United States reached its $16.4 trillion borrowing limit New Year’s Eve.
The bill would let the U.S. Treasury keep borrowing money to pay its bills but would not require lawmakers to vote on actually raising the debt ceiling.
Once the suspension period ends, the borrowing limit would be adjusted upward to account for the country’s increased debt level.
“The bill still has to overcome some concerns expressed by members of the House and the Senate before it can pass both chambers and reach the president’s desk,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said Tuesday.
“If it does [pass Congress] and it reaches the president’s desk, he would not stand in the way of the bill becoming law.
“Clearly, we support extension of the debt ceiling without drama or delay. That has been his position forever — as president and since we’ve had these rather novel debates about whether or not we should engage in games of chicken over the full faith and credit of the United States.”
The White House later said Obama looked forward “to continuing to work with both the House and the Senate to increase certainty and stability for the economy.”
Copyright 2013 United Press International, Inc. (UPI). Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI’s prior written consent.
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Congressman Steve King released the following statement after voting against the “No Budget, No Pay” Act:
“The American people rightfully expect Congress to do its job, and that includes passing a budget.” said King. “However, while I support the concept of the ‘No Budget, No Pay’ bill, the 27th Amendment to our Constitution specifically says ‘No law, varying the compensation for services of Senators and Representatives, shall take effect’ until after an intervening election. The language is clear and unambiguous. I support the spirit of the bill, but it did not meet Constitutional standards.
Each member takes their own oath of fidelity to the constitution, and I respect the view of my colleagues who disagree. In order to keep my oath to the Constitution, my only choice was to vote no.”
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H.R. 325, passed 285-144 –
Suspends through May 18, 2013, the current $14.294 trillion public debt limit.
Makes a special rule relating to obligations issued during the suspension period. Revises the discretionary increase in the public debt limit by the Secretary of the Treasury, under current law, subject to a congressional resolution of disapproval, upon submission to Congress of required presidential certifications that the debt subject to limit is within $100 billion of the limit and further borrowing is required to meet existing commitments.
Substitutes for this discretionary increase, effective May 19, 2013, an automatic increase in the public debt limit, but only to the extent that: (1) the face amount of obligations issued and the face amount of obligations whose principal and interest are guaranteed by the federal government (except guaranteed obligations held by the Secretary of the Treasury) outstanding on May 19, 2013, exceeds (2) the face amount of such obligations outstanding on the date of enactment of this Act.
Prohibits an obligation from being taken into account unless its issuance was necessary to fund a commitment incurred by the federal government that required payment before May 19, 2013.
Requires the appropriate payroll administrator of each House of Congress to deposit in an escrow account all mandatory payments for compensation of Members of Congress serving in that House if by April 15, 2013, that House has not agreed to a concurrent busget resolution for FY2014. Requires release to those Members of such payments after April 16, 2013, only upon the earlier of: (1) the day on which that House of Congress agrees to a concurrent budget resolution for FY2014, or (2) the last day of the 113th Congress.
A lot of United States citizens remind me of a leach they are sucking the blood out of all of us. When the blood runs out the person getting sucked dies and the person doing the sucking dies. The only thing about the leach is we have found a job for them. They are used in some hospital to fight infections. What is basic economics is ,that if its credit card or loan, we don’t have the money to be handing as much out. Prediction by some of the more indpendent economist is, we are 12 years from repeating what Greece has done, we all will take it Greek style then.
I don’t understand how anyone can believe we can just keep spending without addressing the issue. Our government can solve any of our problems. Whether health, guns, economics, imigration, etc. When will we stop voting these idiots into office? It is both sides. Our government system is broke. We the People can no longer afford or tolerate a republican/democrat system. It doesn’t work. It must change. We are getting nowhere fast.
@Anonymous-It has been all over the news today that the economy is in the tank. As the budget cuts (defense) kick in it is reducing the amount of money going into the economy by billions of dollars and taking us down. The only thing keeping us going right now is the Fed is printing money like it is going out of style. Eventually this will devalue the dollar so much we will go into another recession that may well ruin us all. To all of you who hate FOX News you just might watch it and learn. It is not all right wing and you just need to be able to tell the good from the bad just like CNN or MSNBC.
you can’t be serious about Faux News. You do know the Canadian Government banned them from the air ways in Canada. they have a law that says if you go by the name news you be reporting real news not their made up right winged crap. I now understand where you are coming from up with your illogical posts. You are depending on Faux News.
Iagree. sSend those conservatives to the mon where they belong. Esp. TParty.
I’m sad to see how uneducated some of you folks are. Lets start with a simple civics lesson.
The debt ceiling has absolutely nothing to do with the deficit, or deficit spending. It is simply congress saying we will pay our bills. Now who ran up those bills? All financial bills start in the House, and the House must approve all budgets. So ultimately congress is voting on paying it’s own bills.
So at the end of the day Steve King ran up a bunch of bills, and doesn’t want to pay for them. The equivalent of going to a restaurant and eating like a king then walking out when the check comes. It’s irresponsible, and just foolish to vote no on the debt ceiling, but until you jacktards learn a few things about civics we will keep hearing crap about Regan phones, and welfare, and foodstamps, when you should be yelling at your do noting congressman Steve King for spending all that money in the FIRST PLACE!
Bbbbut. Obama have out all them free phones and is helpin them lazey welfare folks and it’s all his fault! doncha know?! Now stop intejecting intelligence on this site. It’s not allowed. Makes LVS testy.
It is refreshing to see an elected official actually say that while he may support the measure that it is in conflict with a Constitutional constraint and therefore would vote no. He is actually following what we voters expect of all elected officials – right? Good for him and us.
Who knew? Actually following the Constitution also makes fiscal and economic sense.
did you collect your obama check today sickastupid or still to high from last night.
Any time someone with your IQ gets mad at me, I win. It means I’m on the right path. You just can’t fix stupid.
What’s an “Obama check?” Is that sorta like welfare that was began before Obama was born. Or is he now in charge of HHS? And can any color and nationality get it?
High? Is that like being drunk?
YOU KNOW YOU LIVE IN A COUNTRY RUN BY AN IDIOT IF,
Parents believe the state is responsible for providing for their children.
Being self=sufficient is considered a threat to the government.
The governments plan for getting people back to work is to provide 99 weeks of unemployment not to work.
Working class americans pay for their own health care and that of everyone to lazy to work yet unwed mothers can have child after child on the states dime and never be held responsible for their choices.
The government believes the way to eradicate trillions in debt is to spend trillions they don’t have.
You can get arrested for having expired tags on your car but not for being in this country illegally.
Hard work and success is rewarded with higher taxes and government intrusion, while slothful, lazy, promiscuous behavior is rewarded with EBT cards, WIC checks, Medicaid and subsidizing housing.
Time for me to go to work so you Osama Obama folks can continue to suck the life out of this great country.
People gaming the entitlement system is certainly an issue, but how exactly does any of this relate to the debt ceiling?
Good. Get to work.
@blog-very well said.
“sniff sniff….” YUP your sht does stink.
Lets try this idea. If you are on any government program you will be subject to a random drug test the same as I am every day I go to work. Exceptions would be anyone on a medical program for pain, mental illness etc. Can’t pass no money. If you have made yourself unable to get a job or just too lazy to work why should my hard earned tax dollars support you. Oh I forgot that’s the Osama Obama. vote getting, entitlement socialist party ideals. John simple economics are beyond the grasp of blood suckers whose only ambition is to walk to the mailbox to get that free money check.
blog the drug testing at first look sounds great. Here is the problem…Florida did just that. And as it turned out for every dollar they saved on welfare they spent ten dollars on drug tests. Drug t5ests aren’t cheap. There are those who cheat the welfare system. I know. i do some volunteer work with the needy. However most people on welfare need the help. I’m not sure what the answer is to getting the cheaters off the welfare rolls but spending $10 to save $1 doesn’t seem to be the right way
Walk to the mailbox to get their check? You better hope all those farmers don’t find out where you live, bloggie!
Here’s a better idea. You go get an egg and suck on it.
What was King’s position on closing the airgaurd base here in Iowa. What were his thoughts on Branstead giving that huge fertilizer plant millions in write offs AFTER they committed to building in Iowa. If we can’t cut spending here it’s idiotic to expect anyone else to.
I can understand the sentiment about government overspending (which I believe to be less of a problem then most conservatives make it out to be)but raising the debt ceiling does not increase spending. All the debt ceiling does it allow use to pay the bills we have already agreed to pay.
John used the example of having $100 in his checking account and writing a one billion dollar check. A more appropriate analogy would be charging a billion dollars to a credit card and then deciding not to pay the bill because it will save you money.
Reagan raised the debt ceiling 18 times, Bush raised it 7. This fight the repubs have decided to pick (and are now losing) is nothing but political grandstanding at the expense of the country. If you are truly concerned about cutting spending, which we all should be, focusing on the actual problem instead of trying to win political points.
The voice of sanity in this sea of madness! Excellent post, Calvin, but they won’t believe it. They’re too invested in the backwards notions being spoon fed to them by the tea/publicans.
ITT: Libtards
Oh, John. You pitiful little moron. The phone program was begun in 1984. Want to take a guess who was El Presidente?
anonymous u are sooooo right on
What is it about we don’t have any money that people don’t understand? We don’t have a tax problem, we have a spending problem.
There will be riots in the streets when the Obama phones and other programs finally go away, it will happen, it is only a matter of time. 17 trillion is a number nobody can even imagine to figure out. If I have $100 in my checking account, I can’t write a check for a billion, and that is not even close to a trillion.
There is plenty of money coming in to the government to pay their bills. They could do that and more with a 20% cut in spending.
Obama phones? Good Grief! Is that all you got? More freaking fretting about Obama phones. a.k.a in your mind BLACKS ON WELFARE. WELFARE is NOT the problem in the US. Get a fricken clue! And people wonder why some are saying your type is racist? It’s ignorant statements like “riots from taking away Obama phones” that gives you away. And there’s no such thing as Obama phones. There’s a program for low income people (grammas/grandpas, disabled people etc.) that’s attached to the Energy Assist program. It pays for part of your ph bill. Phone companies have to ok it. Get educated.
There is a program through the VA where a veteran of low income can get a cell phone for free, 250 free minutes a month.
I didn’t read anything in his post about blacks…and I also didn’t see a racist comment. I’m assuming you are one of those overly-sensitve-always-politically-correct types. Those are the types of people who are ignorant…always thinking someone is out to get the “minority”.
sickastupid and LVS have to be two of the dumbest SOBs around.
The country is broke, the taxpayers are borrowing at least 42 cents of every dollar they spend, and you are finding fault with someone with common sense who votes against causing more trouble for the American People.
What are you dumb ass’s thinking? That money grows on trees? You just taxed the rich folks out of their job creating money and you want to borrow more because that isn’t enough.
You are both goofy!
common sense my azz.
@Anonymous-you are real big on calling people names are you not? You are an IDIOT. In my opinion it is people like you who are the problem in this country. If our politicians do not learn to get along for the betterment of the country we will all suffer. Why are you lumping me in with Sick of Stupd. As far as I know we have completely different beliefs. I am sure that she will agree with that. I am certainly NOT a liberal and have always been a conservative in most issues. That being said, I am not a Republican either. I think people who belong just to one party are limited in their intelligence and therefore in their thinking. 285 Reps voted for it and 144 voted against it. Get informed or shut the hell up.
Disgusting. Can’t even agree with his own party. What a shameful example of politics before people.
I really do not understand why he would not be in favor of this. At least they are trying to accomplish something after all this time. Is it possible Mr. King has another agenda?