Cardin, Mikulski, vote yes on debt ceiling deal
With John Fritze reporting from Washington:
Sens. Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski, both Maryland Democrats, joined a majority of their Senate colleagues Tuesday in voting to approve the bipartisan deal to raise the debt ceiling.
The legislation now goes to the White House, where President Barack Obama is expected to sign it.
The 74-26 vote came less than 12 hours before the government ran out of money and faced a default on its financial obligations, according to officials.
Cardin, who is running for reelection next year, said he was "conflicted" over the deal.
"There's a lot of things in it I don't like," Cardin said. "The main reason I voted for it is we cannot allow the debt ceiling to be breached and there were no other alternatives."
Mikulski called the vote difficult.
"I found it wrenching because of the continual draconian cuts to entitlements," she said. "I was pleased that I helped stop the stampede to raid entitlements."
The deal brokered over the weekend by Obama and Senate Republicans would cut federal spending by at least $2.1 trillion over the next decade and allow the government to continue to borrow money through the end of next year.
The legislation would slash about $900 billion in spending over 10 years and create a bipartisan panel of lawmakers to seek out additional cuts by December. If that panel fails to reach a deal, or Congress declines to approve its recommendations, the bill calls for automatic, across-the-board cuts of $1.2 trillion - including to defense spending and Medicare.
The House voted 269-161 to pass the measure Monday.
Cardin had said before the House vote that he was undecided on the legislation. He said he was investigating details of the cuts that would be triggered if the bipartisan committee deadlocked or Congress failed to approve its recommendations.
Much of the concern from Maryland officials has appeared to center on the automatic cuts triggered by congressional inaction, which would likely have a disproportionate effect on the state.
Maryland is home to more than 286,800 federal workers and local companies were responsible for about $60 billion in federal contracts in 2010. Many of the automatic cuts envisioned by the bill could fall to defense contractors.
Comments
Is this the same Ben Cardin who said on the Senate floor this weekend, "there is no relationship between a debt ceiling and spending"? Kind of explains how we got into this mess in the first place.
Posted by: Chestertownie | August 2, 2011 1:00 PM
This is certainly shocking news!! I thought for sure they'd do something intelligent for a change.
Posted by: Bawlamer Merlin | August 2, 2011 1:02 PM
And these same people think they can run a national healthcare system? We're in serious trouble folks. The fallout from the debt reduction deal won't be realized until the country's credit rating is analyxed in the coming weeks. If it's downgraded due to the continued spending, all hell will break lose.
Posted by: Bob in Columbia | August 2, 2011 1:41 PM
I still don't know why everybody blames the current administration for the state of the economy. Clinton left Bush a surplus (remember we all got checks because of the extra money?). Bush spent crazily with wars among other things. No one questioned him when he rose the debt limit several times. Obama took over this mess and yes he hasn't made it better, but it's very difficult to do. But stop blaming the current administration. Remember who really caused this.
Posted by: Smart Man | August 2, 2011 1:41 PM
Sure sounds like being between a rock and a hard place. I would have voted the same way. You can't let a default happen. Period.
Posted by: Maureen | August 2, 2011 1:47 PM
"I found it wrenching because of the continual draconian cuts to entitlements," she said. "I was pleased that I helped stop the stampede to raid entitlements."
This is why Mikulski needs to be voted out. Her fiscal irresponsibility is too much to take, get out of my pocket pig. We need actual cuts on entitlements, and they need to be drastic. No more generations growing up on welfare, I'm done supporting people who won't help themselves.
Posted by: Dom | August 2, 2011 2:42 PM
Dear citizens of Maryland,
OF COURSE THEY APPROVED IT!!!!
They were told to approve it!!!
They care NOTHING about the country only what is good for the Democratic Party.
Cardin and Mikulski must answer to the special interests that elected them to the Senate.
O - Maryland votors - did you think you were electing them ---
Get a life.
Well Maryland - the tax and spend party will get to raise your taxes somehow. For you liberals out their that is the Democratic Party.
Think about it Maryland.
Posted by: Concerned Citizen | August 2, 2011 3:07 PM
When are U people going to wake up. half of the city residents are on welfare,medicaid, section 8 housing how much more does she want for those who have never nor will ever work. Wake up B-More time for miss Piggy to move on. My dearly beloved home town has went down the tubes. Vote them out take back your city.
Posted by: 1bigdog1 | August 2, 2011 7:00 PM
This high debt was not just caused by President Obama, it is the fault oif four(4) presidents that was spending money for drug wars that have not been eliminated, jobs for the poor people that do not earn over $20,000.00 yr that never became open and guns to many wars in other places that do not want our presence there. President Obama has tried to keep to his word as best he can with all knives in back. Pray that the
citizens of this country come to their senses on fairness and obligation.\
Posted by: Carol Walker | August 3, 2011 5:01 PM