House passes agreement on deal to allow Democrats to address debt ceiling
NDAA, debt ceiling, government funding: Here’s what’s left for Congress to address in 2021
Under standard rules, a vote to raise the debt ceiling would need 60 votes, meaning at least 10 Republicans would need to join Democrats to push the measure through a Senate split 50-50. But Senate Republicans have been reluctant to help Democrats raise the debt ceiling, and have blocked a long-term increase to the debt limit.
The agreement itself would require 10 Republicans to join Democrats to pass, but McConnell said earlier Tuesday he was “confident this particular procedure coupled with the avoidance of Medicare cuts will achieve enough Republican support to clear the 60-vote threshold.”
The agreement on the special pathway can be used only once, before mid-January. The proposal is tied to legislation that would prevent automatic cuts to Medicare.
GOP lawmakers said earlier this year they wouldn’t help Democrats raise the country’s borrowing authority. Republicans wanted Democrats to specify the exact dollar number amount of new national debt as they attempt to pass expansive legislative priorities, like President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better Act.
More:What’s in the House-passed Build Back Better bill? Paid leave, universal pre-K and more
Powell says Fed may accelerate winding down of bond-buying stimulus as economy improves but Omicron variant poses risks
“I’m going to support Democrats raising the debt ceiling without Republican votes,” Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, told reporters. “To have Democrats raise the debt ceiling and be held accountable for racking up the debt is my goal. And this helps us accomplish it.”
Congress avoids shutdown after House, Senate vote to extend government funding into February
Once the legislation that spells out the agreement is approved by the Senate, both chambers of Congress could then vote on legislation to raise the debt ceiling.