Failure to raise the debt ceiling in time could halt payments that millions of Americans rely on, including paychecks to federal workers, Medicare benefits, military salaries, tax refunds, Social Security checks and payments to federal contractors. It could cause job losses, a shutdown of tens of billions in Covid-19 economic recovery aid still set to be delivered, and a near-freeze in credit markets.
Republicans simply don't care.
That would be Senate Republicans who are saying nothing about the pending crisis. That would be Republicans on this forum who are saying nothing about the pending crisis as time is quickly running out.
And that would be Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
McConnell is refusing to help raise the debt ceiling-- even though the US is on the hook for huge debts run up under the Trump administration. That would be eight trillion dollars. 98% of the debt occurred before the Democrats controlled the White House and Congress.
"The majority doesn't need our votes," McConnell said Monday.
"I suggest that our colleagues get moving," he added.
Stephen Collinson writes, "Technically, McConnell might be correct. In the last resort,
Democrats could use a time consuming and complicated maneuver known as reconciliation to extend the government's borrowing authority. But the Kentuckian's action has likely set yet another brutal precedent that will further polarize the business of governance and make the vital task of maintaining a stable economy even more politicized and dysfunctional in years to come.
"
The latest debt-ceiling showdown is the most recent example of how the wily Kentucky senator
is ready to crush governing norms and conventions if they advance his political goals, thanks to his extraordinary thick hide that is an undeniable political asset. Just because Democrats joined the GOP in raising the debt limit when Republicans were in the majority doesn't mean the favor will be repaid now that the situation is reversed.
In other words, McConnell does not care. His personal political goals are more important than than the needs of the American people. He is willing to sacrifice the American economy to make the Democrats look bad.
It is pure irony that McConnell's me-first policy is creating a situation in which the Democrats will ride to the rescue, saving the American economy, ensuring the security of investments, paying seniors, federal workers, and our military. In the meantime, the Republicans are out in the cold looking like the Grinch who stole Christmas.
Republicans have this habit of shooting themselves in the foot. For example, the leading candidate for the Republican nominee for President in 2024 is defeated former President Donald J. Trump who also lost the House and Senate during his watch.
The forum's Republicans will say nothing.
