Senate To Vote on US Debt Ceiling Increase Tuesday

The Senate will vote Tuesday on legislation lifting the government’s debt ceiling to stave off the risk of a default to avoid shutdown according to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, without mentioning how much the increase will be.

Senate passage, which requires only a simple majority, would send the debt limit measure to the House, where Democratic leaders have promised quick action.

Mitch McConnell forged an agreement with Democrats on the debt ceiling. McConnell says the pact allows the Democrats to proudly own it. Thanks to the special pact, House and Senate Democrats will raise the debt ceiling.

McConnell was firm earlier this fall that if Democrats were going to spend so much money on their social spending package, they should lift the debt ceiling “on their own.”

Democrats were already planning to use the special, filibuster-proof procedure known as budget reconciliation to pass their domestic agenda package. Republicans argued Democrats should go that route on the debt ceiling – and the Republicans would not have to play along.

Earlier in the fall, McConnell believed Senate Democrats, and, in particular, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, took advantage of Republicans and their goodwill. In a letter to President Biden, McConnell torched Democrats over what he characterized as their reckless, partisan spending bill. He accused Democrats of fiscal mismanagement.