Senate Debt Deal Weakens Congress on Debt Ceiling

by Kerry Picket 16 Oct 2013, 4:13 PM PDT

Capitol Hill talk regarding the Senate deal apparently includes a provision that would take away the Congress’ power to increase the debt ceiling. According to Politico, it looks like the buzz appears to be true.:

The plan includes a proposal offered by McConnell in the 2011 debt ceiling crisis that allows Congress to disapprove of the debt ceiling increase, which means lawmakers will formally vote on whether to reject a debt ceiling increase until Feb. 7. Obama can veto that legislation if it passes. If Congress fails as expected to gather a two-thirds majority to override the veto, the debt ceiling would be raised.

Read more:

http://www.breitbart.com/InstaBlog/2013/...se-Debt-Ceiling

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the provision would "defang the debt ceiling, returning it to its historical place as an opportunity for ineffectual posturing rather than extortion." However it would only apply to the next debt ceiling vote. The debt limit can only currently be increased if Congress affirmatively votes to raise it and the president signs it into law. During Congress' last debt limit debate in 2011, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R - KY) wanted to invert this process by making it automatic, unless Congress voted against it and the president did not veto it. Theoretically, Congress could override a veto, but given the current makeup of both chambers that would be nearly impossible.

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Although this only applies to the next debt ceiling vote, IMHO it is setting precedent for the future where the debt ceiling will raise automatically, barring a veto proof denial by congress. This is total capitulation to big government, free spending progressives with both R and D after their names.