Biden says changing filibuster rules to raise debt ceiling is a possibility

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Source: Washington Post

Such a major change could give Democrats the ability to stave off a potential, calamitous default roughly two weeks before a critical fiscal deadline — but only if all party lawmakers agree to loosen the Senate’s typical 60-vote threshold in a way some have been disinclined to do for months.

The debt ceiling refers to the government’s ability to borrow to pay its bills. Lawmakers have until Oct. 18 to raise the cap by a specific amount or suspend it until a particular date — or else the U.S. government could face a crisis so stark that the Biden administration has warned it could thrust the country back into a recession.

Democrats and Republicans agree that the dangers of default are vast. But GOP lawmakers led by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky have refused to supply the 10 necessary votes for Democrats to overcome a filibuster on a plan to suspend the debt limit in the chamber — part of the GOP’s broader efforts to oppose Biden’s economic agenda.

Earlier Tuesday, McConnell reiterated his belief that Democrats instead should use a process known as reconciliation to address the debt ceiling. The move would allow the party to raise the borrowing cap using a majority, rather than the typical 60 votes required in the Senate, preserving the ability of Republicans to withhold their support.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2021/10/05/biden-debt-ceiling-filibuster/

[DallasNE]

1. We Are The Only Developed Country In The World To Have A Debt Ceiling

And we have only had it since isolationist Republicans imposed it on President Wilson. It serves no useful fiscal purpose. Congress has the power of the purse as only they can legislate spending. The current process is like calling in a to-go order (authorizes spending) then when the driver delivers the food you say, oh no, we can't pay you because we have this ceiling that we've hit - now give me the food and get out of here. We don't need to modify the filibuster rule for the debt ceiling bacause we could have a President of one party and a senate of the other party and the government gets shut down because the 51 vote threshold cannot be met. The only logical solution is to join all of the other developed countries and abolish the useless debt ceiling. Wilson isn;t going to start another war - geez.

[LudwigPastorius]

2. Let's do this thing.

Once you kill the filibuster for a debt limit suspension, using the same tactic to pass a progressive agenda becomes easier.

Life in the Senate will go on and everyone will see that it's not some sacred cow that has to be protected at all costs.

[Rollo]

3. Wouldn't it take 60 votes to kill the filibuster too?

Or just a simple majority?

[PoliticAverse]

5. 50+1 votes (as has been done before). n/t

[cstanleytech]

4. With Manchin and Sinema pretty much in opposition to it along with the 50 Republicans

changing the rules is pretty much a dead letter.
Probably easier for Biden to simply order the Treasury to create 2 to 3 1$ trillion dollar notes to pay the bills assuming that is something that does not take the House or Senates approval for him to do.

[PoliticAverse]

6. Biden, Yellen and virtually everyone else in a position to actually do it has said no to the create

a coin/note idea.

[cstanleytech]

8. Yes, I know they have said that but they could change their minds.

[The Fifty Stateman]

7. Nike, Mr President

JUST DO IT!!!

[PoliticAverse]

9. "However, Sen. Joe Manchin...

However, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who vote would be necessary, has said he is open to relying on budget reconciliation but not nixing the filibuster to lift the borrowing cap.

Manchin open to debt hike through reconciliation, rules out nixing filibuster
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/575232-manchin-open-to-debt-hike-through-reconciliation-rules-out-nixing-filibuster

[Deminpenn]

10. Isn't the R gambit here

to force the Dems to use reconcilliation for the debt ceiling so they can't use it to pass Biden's social and economic agenda bill?

[DemocraticPatriot]

11. No, they can still use it for both...

But if budget reconciliation is used to raise the debt ceiling, Democrats will have to raise it by a specific dollar amount. It can't simply be suspended as could be done by normal legislation.

Then Republicans will be able use the issue to campaign against Democrats, saying "congressperson X voted to increase our debt by xxx dollars". (Nevermind that it is a necessary vote, or that the debt in question was mostly incurred by the Trump administation.)

[Deminpenn]

14. Thanks

I guess that's what explains McConnell now saying the Rs won't fillibuster if Dems raise the debt ceiling by a specific amount.

I don't think anyone actually cares about the debt ceiling except some R voters since the senate Rs didn't give a hoot about it when they were busy passing the Trump tax cuts for the richest Americans and businesses while putting a 2025 expiration date on tax cuts for everyone else.

The Dems should just double what the debt is now, no one will care.

[scarytomcat]

12. the debt ceiling is bogus

the USA can not not pay it's debt
Biden should ignore it and instruct that payments be made.

[AncientOfDays]

13. Change how the debt limit works

It should only apply to passing a budget - congress not allowed to pass a budget that would cause the debt limit to be exceeded. That should be it's only use if it exists at all.