Some Republicans push back against Boehner's plan to raise debt limit
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, the Republican Study Committee chairman, far left, leaves the Capitol with fellow House GOP members after passage of the conservative deficit reduction plan known as "Cut, Cap and Balance" that prevailed 234-190, in Washington, Tuesday, July 19, 2011.
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AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
A handful of Republican lawmakers are speaking out against House Speaker John Boehner's plan for reducing the deficit and raising the debt ceiling, arguing that the plan fails to go far enough to reduce the debt.
House Speaker John Boehner has been urging the GOP to support his recently-unveiled proposal for raising the debt limit - and has gone so far as to suggest that it has the necessary support to pass through Congress.
In a closed-door meeting with his caucus Monday, the speaker said the GOP plan has the votes to pass through Congress - and that President Obama will subsequently be forced to sign it. Boehner called on his caucus to stick together to achieve Republican goals.
Conservative Republicans, however, are already revolting against Boehner's proposal.
In a statement Monday afternoon, Republican Study Committee Chairman Jim Jordan said he opposed the Boehner plan, and that "only a Balanced Budget Amendment will actually solve our debt problems."
"Cut, Cap, and Balance is the only plan on the table that meets this standard," said Jordan, one of 38 conservative lawmakers who earlier this year signed a pledge to vote against any debt increase that was not attached to an amendment to the Constitution requiring a balanced budget. "Only a Balanced Budget Amendment will actually solve our debt problems."
Boehner's two-step proposal to raise the debt ceiling, which he unveiled Monday afternoon, mandates immediate cuts and caps in discretionary spending in exchange for a short-term increase to the debt limit. A second increase to the debt limit would then be tied to a further deficit reduction, to be determined by 12-member committee.
The proposal also requires the House and Senate to vote on - but not necessarily pass - a Balanced Budget Amendment by the end of the year.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, another proponent of the Balanced Budget Amendment, objected to the speaker's plan on the grounds that it made "hollow promises" for fixing the nation's economic problems.
"Both plans represent typical Washington answers to the federal government's out-of-control spending problem," Lee said in a statement, referring both to Boehner's plan and a Democratic proposal released by Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid on Monday. "They add trillions to the national debt in the short-term while making hollow promises to cut spending in the long-term. Neither of the proposals fundamentally reform the way Washington spends money, require the federal government to balance its budget, or protect our triple-A credit rating."
Democrats, meanwhile, have repeatedly rejected the idea of a short-term increase to the debt limit, and are currently focused on pushing Reid's plans through Congress. Despite Boehner's claims, the GOP plan is unlikely to gain the necessary traction in the Democratic-controlled Senate.
Are these Tea Party people crazy? If the country goes into default it will be their fault and all of us will pay the price for their pigheaded behavior.
Boehner and the teaparty are going to regret their actions. Trouble is the American taxpayer will as usual have to foot the bill for all their bullflinging.
I pray that the American People realize that the drama that's been played out in Washington today is just that DRAMA. The only choice that need to be made is, are we going to pay our bills that were ran up by the previous administrations. Most Americans think that raising the debt ceiling mean spending more money. That is not the case raising the debt ceiling will only let us pay our bills that are due. So get the word out and do not let the spin managers put bad information out there. Obama has the power as President to side step all this drama, however, he is giving everyone a chance to do the right thing. The question is. Will They?
Lets observe where, this political adventure, on our debt ceiling is going. I'll make a prediction as to how this will unfold. There will be no agreement and will continue to evolve. Now Boehner has a decision to make. {1} Are the cuts and the revenue increases worth pursuing or not. If they are then he will need to take all of the matured republicans, gather them up and dress up as Indians and go to the House and throw all the Tea out unto he waters of oblivion. Emulating our forefathers. Then go back and EGADS communicate with the democrats and come to terms. That would salvage the republican party for 2012. Illusion of leadership they will be able to sucker in more of the weak-minded to vote for them. Increasing odds of winning something.
{2} "OR" take it back for a clean debt ceiling raising and discuss these issues at a later debate and take his chances there. "OR" {3} bring on the default hoping Obama and democrats to cave.
{1} Possible as Tea have been a discredit to his leadership.
{2} Likely to be, both save face, although he will lose this hand and be the jest of the Tea Baggers. Prognosis for Tea 2012 low and replacements may be more in line with politics.
{3} Not likely. Obama could play this card to further decimate republican creditability. By taking the reigns of our financials and heroically saving the nation from default. All republicans could do then is rhetoric of dictator, socialism, and so on. That will play as redundant, from the party of "No" leadership.
SOOOO after a week of more grand posturing from both sides to have their warriors identifying themselves and what they stand for they will decide on number {2} Anyone for {1} or {3}?
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A handful of Republican lawmakers are speaking out against House Speaker John Boehner's plan for reducing the deficit and raising the debt ceiling, arguing that the plan fails to go far enough to reduce the debt. 
{2} "OR" take it back for a clean debt ceiling raising and discuss these issues at a later debate and take his chances there. "OR"
{3} bring on the default hoping Obama and democrats to cave.
{1} Possible as Tea have been a discredit to his leadership.
{2} Likely to be, both save face, although he will lose this hand and be the jest of the Tea Baggers. Prognosis for Tea 2012 low and replacements may be more in line with politics.
{3} Not likely. Obama could play this card to further decimate republican creditability. By taking the reigns of our financials and heroically saving the nation from default. All republicans could do then is rhetoric of dictator, socialism, and so on. That will play as redundant, from the party of "No" leadership.
SOOOO after a week of more grand posturing from both sides to have their warriors identifying themselves and what they stand for they will decide on number {2}
Anyone for {1} or {3}?