Democrats in the House and Senate are using procedural maneuvers to force votes on a debt ceiling increase that does not include the spending cuts Republicans are demanding.
Why it’s important Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned Congress on Monday that if nothing is done, a default could happen as soon as June 1. This prompted both parties to step up their debt ceiling plans.
In a “dear colleague” letter on Tuesday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) stated that Democrats planned to submit a discharge petition, which, if signed by 218 House members, would force a vote on a clean debt ceiling increase.
The legislation, he said, was introduced by Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.) at the “beginning of the 118th Congress” in January, making it eligible to try to bring to the floor under that process.
“The filing of a debt ceiling measure to be brought up on the discharge calendar preserves an important option,” Jeffries wrote, “We will be in direct contact next week upon our return to Washington in connection with the discharge effort.”
The move comes after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Monday placed both a clean debt ceiling increase and the House GOP’s bill to raise the debt ceiling and slash spending on the Senate calendar.
“This process will ensure that once a clean debt ceiling is passed the House bill is available for a bipartisan agreement on spending and revenue as part of the regular budget process,” Schumer’s spokesperson said.
