(RightWing.org) – Fall is coming quickly, and so is a slew of Congressional actions that will set the stage for the 2022 midterm elections. While it may not appear so publicly, Democrats are struggling to get all their members on board with the $3.5 trillion reconciliation package stuffed full of far-left interests that, in their own words, would transform America. In addition, Congress needs to pass the federal budget by September 30 and raise the debt ceiling.
It’s going to be a challenging few months for Democrats. How they handle the enormity of their responsibilities as the majority party will go a long way in determining the outcome of the midterm elections, and perhaps nothing signals a problem as symbolically as the debt ceiling. Republicans are ready to wrap the nation’s debt around the Democrats. The Left is considering a controversial measure that might be a Constitutional issue to get them out of political harm’s way.
Debt Ceiling Crisis
On Monday, August 30, over 100 House Republicans wrote to the American people to signal their displeasure with Democrats. The large group of Conservatives said they would not agree to raise the debt ceiling under any circumstance, saying the Democrats should “take responsibility for increasing the debt ceiling” due to trillions of dollars in proposed spending.
The Democrats passionately intend to pass a $3.5 to $5 trillion proposal that would transform social programs, education, healthcare, immigration and place a down payment on climate control. Many Americans may not realize that to pay for it, Democrats must raise the debt ceiling. Without doing so, there isn’t a funding mechanism. There isn’t enough money the government can take from taxpayers to support the cost of the bill. Plus, the bill is loaded with accounting tricks and gimmicks that would ultimately make it much more costly than they suggest.
The debt ceiling issue may be the leverage Republicans need to halt the Left’s radical agenda.
In addition, the Congressional Budget Office says the Treasury Department expects to run out of money in October or November. If that happens, the government might not pay for all its bills without the debt limit increase.
On August 9, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said, “Democrats want Republicans to help them raise the debt limit so they can keep spending historic sums of money with zero Republican input and zero Republican votes.” He added, “Imagine a friend tells you he’s flying to Las Vegas to blow all his money. He doesn’t care that you think it’s irresponsible and you aren’t invited to come. But he wants you to co-sign a loan for him before he leaves!”
Democrats Propose Radical Workaround to Republican Opposition
So, what is the shifty Democratic idea to get around the GOP this time? They are considering a procedure that would allow the White House to waive the debt ceiling unilaterally. It’s known as a “disapproval process.” Under the rules, the president can unilaterally suspend the debt limit. Congress could vote to disapprove through a resolution. However, the president could veto the resolution if it does, taking two-thirds of both chambers to override it.
There are a few problems with this strategy. First, is it Constitutional? The power of the purse belongs to Congress. This move would essentially give their Constitutional responsibilities away to the executive branch. In a veto-proof Congress, it would give the nation’s chief executive unfettered spending power in the absence of a check and balance by Congress.
Second, Republicans in the Senate are unlikely to give Democrats the 10 votes they need to make it filibuster-proof. The House GOP is almost certain to vote against it. If Republicans went along with the ploy, it would give the impression that Conservatives facilitated a debt ceiling increase. Finally, it would strip the GOP of their leverage. The debt ceiling issue offers Republicans tremendous leverage to force budget spending down. Why would they relinquish that power?
So, what does the Democrat’s bright idea prove?
It demonstrates the lengths Democrats will go to avoid negotiating with Republicans and pass a radical agenda that much of America doesn’t want. The Left doesn’t mind losing elections for long-term gains. As the GOP learned through Obamacare, it’s nearly impossible to take an entitlement away once the government creates one.
It’s always better to end a proposal before it becomes a bill than it is to try to repeal it. It’s a lesson the GOP seems to have learned.
Stay tuned. There may be no end to what Democrats propose in order to force their extreme agenda on America.
Don Purdum, Independent Political Analyst
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