fresh voices from the front lines of change

Democracy

Health

Climate

Housing

Education

Rural

Senate Deal Close, House Uncertain

Senate close to deal. AP: "It lacks the budget cuts demanded by Republicans in exchange for increasing the government's $16.7 trillion borrowing cap. Nor does the framework contain any of a secondary set of House GOP demands, like a one-year delay in the health law's mandate that individuals buy insurance. Instead, it appeared likely to tighten income verification requirements for individuals who qualify for Obamacare subsidies and may repeal a $63 fee that companies must pay for each person they cover under the big health care overhaul beginning in 2014 ... But it's another story in the House, where it wasn't winning a lot of fans among conservatives."

Deal would last a few months. Reuters: "It also would raise the debt ceiling by enough to cover the nation's borrowing needs at least through mid-February 2014 ... Government operations would be funded through the middle of January, keeping in place the across-the-board 'sequester' spending cuts that took effect in March, though government agencies would have more latitude to ease their impact. It would also set up a new round of budget talks that would try to strike a bargain by year's end."

Pressure on Boehner, says Politico: "[Boehner] will soon be faced with an uncomfortable choice: Pass an emerging bipartisan Senate deal to lift the debt ceiling and fund the government, or don’t — and risk massive political and economic consequences ... One House Republican said they would be lucky to find 20 GOP lawmakers willing to vote for this proposal."

"Senate could still miss debt deadline" reports The Hill: "A lone senator could push the nation past the Oct. 17 debt-limit deadline even if a bipartisan deal is reached ... if a senator or group of senators wanted to prolong the process as long as possible, experts warn, the Senate could blow right past that deadline even if there are enough votes to overcome a filibuster."

Win or Loss?

Mother Jones on "Why Harry Reid Fears a Long-Term Shutdown Deal": "Democrats want to replace the economy-crimping sequester with a less austere plan that includes more targeted cuts and higher total spending levels. Reid is OK with extending current sequester-level spending—but only until mid-January, so a broader budget deal that includes Democratic priorities can be worked out before deeper spending cuts go into effect. If the House somehow forces a longer term deal, it would be much harder for Reid and Democrats to negotiate a substitute for the sequester, say, six months from now because the fiscal year (which began October 1) would be half over ... with the House Republicans now on the ropes in the dual shutdown/debt ceiling crisis, he has seen his leverage increase and has pushed for the chance to wage another battle over sequestration."

But The Atlantic's David Graham questions the Dem sequestration strategy: "...they've been overly optimistic about their ability to win a political battle over the sequester before. They promised that the first round of sequestration would be a disaster, but despite economists' consensus view ... most Americans say they've felt little impact. The second round will have to be much worse to move public opinion."

Krugman positive: "It ain’t over until the tanned man sings, but it looks as if Obama’s Michael Corleone strategy has succeeded."

Kuttner negative: "For now, we [Republicans] are getting something of a black eye in the press, but our long-term strategy is working. We get to do this again and again and again. Each time, President Obama gives a little more ground. Each time, we ratchet down government spending even further. If you think our caucus is split, imagine the rage of the liberals in the House!"

"Shutdown derailed the Republican rebranding campaign" says W. Post's Scott Clement and Sean Sullivan: "In choosing to take the hard-line stance favored by its most conservative wing, Republican leaders in Congress have not only alienated electorally critical independents and other key demographic groups that their 2012 presidential nominee won but also further revealed the deep schism within their own party. Start with political independents who supported Mitt Romney over Obama by five points nearly one year ago. Now 76 percent disapprove of Republicans budget wrangling, slightly more than 68 percent who disapprove of Democrats. Among white voters, the story is similar."

Pin It on Pinterest

Spread The Word!

Share this post with your networks.