POLITICS
Debt Crisis: Is "McConnell Plus" the New "Slaughter Solution?"
July 18, 2011
11:30 am, Central
Diane W. Collins
dcollins@marketingweb.com
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Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell (R-KY) Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid (D-NV) "McConnell Plus," Plan B |
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As the House pushes H.R. 2560, Cut, Cap and Balance Act 2011 to the floor Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid (D-NV) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) work on "McConnell Plus."
Bloomberg's Peter Cooke reported Plan B, or "McConnell Plus" is expected to come to the Senate floor Wednesday. It is believed the plan will include a $2.5T increase in the debt ceiling; $1.5T in short term spending cuts; and will develop a commission to evaluate and report on long term spending cuts. Unlike Bowles-Simpson the new commission would require a simple majority to send the report to Congress for an up or down vote... no changes, no amendments.
The "McConnell Plus" plan reportedly would still allow for a complex procedure of three tranches to increase the debt ceiling and provide cover for Republicans through a "Resolution of Disapproval" which paves the way for sustaining a presidential veto.
Perhaps it solves the political mess, but it does little if anything to address the real issues of debt and deficit. Is "McConnell Plus" really any different from Louise Slaughter's "Slaughter Solution" during the Health Care Reform Act battles? Is it not the same type of "Technical Dishonesty" we encountered then? As we kick the can down the road the American people watch and understand more than Washington believes.
The Cut, Cap and Balance Act of 2011, HR 2560, goes to the Rules Committee today at 5 pm, Eastern. If you want to understand the bill watch the proceedings. (Also live on CSPAN at 5 pm, ET) It moves to the House floor tomorrow for a vote. In the Senate Cut, Cap and Balance was introduced on July 7th as S.1340. Whether it makes it to the Senate floor for a vote may be dependent upon the action in the House tomorrow. Contact your representatives!
The question is will we actually solve the problem or hide behind a technicality? Hemmed in by political maneuvering, reality may dictate we can't solve it today, but we must try. How else will the American people know what could be when Conservatives take back the Senate and the presidency in 2012? Work to make it happen.
Contact: Representatives, Contact: Senators
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