Debt limit vote splits Md. Democrats
A proposal to raise the nation's $14.3 trillion debt limit without making significant cuts in federal spending failed in the House of Representatives Tuesday and split the Democratic members of Maryland's congressional delegation.
Reps. John Sarbanes, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger and Donna Edwards supported the proposal, while Reps. Elijah E. Cummings, Chris Van Hollen and Steny Hoyer opposed it. All are Democrats. The state's two Republicans, Reps. Andy Harris and Roscoe G. Bartlett, both voted against the bill.
The bill, which failed 97-318, was brought to the House floor by Republicans who acknowledged early in the debate that they would not support it. The measure was intended to put Democrats in a political bind by forcing them to vote on a "clean" debt limit measure without spending cuts -- an idea they initially favored.
Republicans have sought to pair any vote to raise the debt limit with spending cuts. By supporting the measure Tuesday, Democrats left themselves open to attack that they are not serious about federal spending. Seconds after the vote, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, a Virginia Republican, used his Twitter account to blame Democrats for voting "blindly to raise the debt ceiling without real spending cuts."
Van Hollen, of Montgomery County, called the vote a "political stunt" and accused the GOP of "demagoguing the debt ceiling increase for political gain."
Edwards, who backed the measure, called the GOP move "irresponsible grandstanding."
All Republicans opposed the bill, but the Democratic caucus split, with 97 in favor, 82 opposed and seven voting present.
“Marylanders sent me to Congress to end Washington’s spending spree – to get the economy moving and build an environment for positive job growth,” Harris, a Baltimore County Republican, said in a statement. “A vote to yet again increase the debt limit without needed spending reductions would simply continue to kick the can down the road.”
The U.S. reached its debt ceiling May 16, but the Treasury Department has said it can continue to pay the nation's bills until Aug. 2. As the deadline approaches, the issue promises to consume Congress. Several bipartisan groups of lawmakers, meanwhile, are negotiating behind the scenes in search of a compromise.
The House vote followed similar political maneuvering by Senate Democrats last week. In that case, Democratic leaders forced a vote on a 2012 budget approved by House Republicans, even though many GOP senators opposed the spending plan. That budget, drafted by Republican Rep. Paul Ryan, includes a major overhaul of the Medicare program.
Comments
How much money did it cost the taxpayers to hold this vote? Is taking a vote that congress knows is not going to pass from the outset a wise use of our limited funds. How much did we spend on paper and copy to copy the bill and printer ink and electricity and secretaries to type the bill and clerks to research the bill and runners and all the other people and resources to have this useless vote. Personally, I resent the Republicans for wasting time and money in this way just to make a political point. This is not being fiscally responsible.
Posted by: Personal Home Inspector | May 31, 2011 9:39 PM
It's time to treat Reps. John Sarbanes, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger and Donna Edwards like a can and kick them down the road away from Washington...
Posted by: A Maryland Libertarian | June 1, 2011 8:54 AM
Apparently Mr. Personal Home Inspector isn't a big fan of "preventative maintenance."
What, just sore that you won't get to live in fantasy land for too much longer?
I know, I know... budgets can be such a drag...
Posted by: John J. Walters | June 1, 2011 11:09 AM
Hey Van Hollen aren't the Democrats doing the same about Ryan.s Medicare proposal?
Posted by: john | June 1, 2011 12:36 PM
"A proposal to raise the nation's $14.3 trillion debt limit without making significant cuts in federal spending "
Correction: There was not ONE cut in spending in that vote. The Dems demanded a straight up or down unencumbered by any other distractions and it went down faster than a taco in the hands of Michelle Obama.
There can be no increase without equal cuts.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 1, 2011 1:08 PM
Socialist Van Hollen was one that DEMANDED a straight up or down vote, he got it, it failed now he is playing his childish political games.
How can his voters be so ignorant?
Posted by: Anonymous | June 1, 2011 1:15 PM
"Personally, I resent the Republicans for wasting time and money in this way just to make a political point." posted by Personal Home Inspector
Dude!!!! The Democrats DEMANDED this vote with no spending cuts in it.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 1, 2011 1:16 PM
Both parties try to make Americans believe they act in their interests. However, most American citizens think that the rich should be taxed at a higher rate and government spending should be cut to reduce the deficit. If the politicians really cared, they would listen to their voters. It seems they represent the interests of banks instead.
Posted by: Jay Banks | June 1, 2011 2:18 PM
Come on guys! I am awaiting my third Kidney and need my August 2011 SS check so I can get to and from Dialysis. Help me out here! please
Posted by: Neil goren | July 29, 2011 8:42 PM