This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/13/us/politics/budget-and-debt-limit-debate.html

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Debt Talks in House Stall as Focus Turns to the Senate Senate Takes Lead as House Republicans’ Talks With White House Fail
(about 3 hours later)
WASHINGTON — Senate leaders on Saturday opened last-ditch negotiations on reopening the government and raising the debt ceiling as talks between House Republicans and the White House collapsed, dashing hopes for a quick resolution to the political crisis that has paralyzed the government. WASHINGTON — Senators Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell on Saturday began last-ditch negotiations on reopening the government and raising the debt ceiling as talks between House Republicans and the White House collapsed, dashing hopes for a quick resolution to the political crisis that has paralyzed the government.
The dead end with the House, coming just five days before the nation reaches its borrowing limit and faces the possibility of a crippling financial default, has left Republicans on Capitol Hill with no easy options.The dead end with the House, coming just five days before the nation reaches its borrowing limit and faces the possibility of a crippling financial default, has left Republicans on Capitol Hill with no easy options.
“No deal,” Representative Paul D. Ryan, chairman of the House Budget Committee, said as he left a meeting with fellow Republicans in the Capitol. “No deal,” Representative Paul D. Ryan, the chairman of the House Budget Committee, said as he left a meeting with fellow Republicans in the Capitol.
There is now little doubt that any deal to reopen the federal bureaucracy would have to come from the Senate, where Harry Reid, the majority leader, and Mitch McConnell, the minority leader, sat down face to face on Saturday morning for the first time since the standoff began. The meeting, which both sides described as a constructive if highly preliminary step toward talks that would continue throughout the weekend, was an indication of just how urgent the situation has become.   There is now little doubt that any deal to reopen the federal bureaucracy would have to come from the Senate, where Mr. Reid, the majority leader, and Mr. McConnell, the minority leader, sat down face to face on Saturday morning for the first time since July. The meeting, which both sides described as a constructive if highly preliminary step toward talks that would continue throughout the weekend, was an indication of just how urgent the situation had become.
“I hope that our talking is some solace to the American people and the world,” Mr. Reid said.“I hope that our talking is some solace to the American people and the world,” Mr. Reid said.
The dialogue puts two veteran Senate dealmakers back in the same room, leading a negotiating process that has so far been marred by mistrust and anger. Mr. Reid was careful not to sound too hopeful but added: “Senator McConnell and I have been in this body a long time. We’ve done things together for a long time together. I know him. He knows me. We don’t agree on everything, and that’s, as you know, an understatement.” He and Mr. McConnell are now back leading a negotiations process that has so far been marred by mistrust and anger.
Mr. Reid was careful not to sound too hopeful but said: “Senator McConnell and I have been in this body a long time. We’ve done things for a long time together. I know him. He knows me. We don’t agree on everything, and that’s, as you know, an understatement.”
He added, “This is what legislating is all about.”He added, “This is what legislating is all about.”
For Speaker John A. Boehner and House Republicans, the options were much grimmer. The speaker, who told his members in an early morning meeting that his efforts to strike a compromise with the White House had failed, can continue to push back against President Obama and hope for some give in the White House’s stance that it will not negotiate until the government is reopened and the debt ceiling is raised. If he were to pursue a more accommodating approach similar to his Republican colleagues in the Senate, he risks angering the conservatives who dominate his conference.   The relationship between the two men has been so chilly lately, in fact, that it took two other senators, Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York, and Lamar Alexander, Republican of Tennessee, to arrange the meeting.
Those conservatives left their meeting in the Capitol on Saturday in a sour mood, many of them saying they were outraged that Mr. Obama still refused to meet them halfway. For Speaker John A. Boehner and House Republicans, the options were much grimmer. The speaker, who told his members in an early morning meeting that his efforts to strike a compromise with the White House had failed, can continue to push back against President Obama and hope for some give in the White House’s stance that it will not negotiate until the government is reopened and the debt ceiling is raised. If he were to pursue a more accommodating approach similar to his Republican colleagues in the Senate, he risks angering the conservatives who dominate his conference.
The president met late Saturday afternoon with the leaders of the Senate Democratic caucus at the White House to discuss their next steps in finding a possible path forward with Mr. McConnell and the Republicans. Mr. Schumer, who was there, said: “There’s a will among all three parties — the president, Senate Democrats and Senate Republicans. Now we’ll see if there’s a way.”
Earlier in the day, conservatives left their meeting at the Capitol in a sour mood, with many saying they were outraged that Mr. Obama still refused to meet them halfway.
Representative John Carter of Texas described Mr. Obama as “acting like a royal president.”Representative John Carter of Texas described Mr. Obama as “acting like a royal president.”
“He’s still my way or the highway,” Mr.  Carter said. “He’s still ‘my way or the highway,’ ” Mr. Carter said.
With concern growing that global financial markets could be thrown into turmoil if Congress does not agree to raise the debt ceiling, Republicans said they did not know whether Mr. Boehner would have enough support from his most conservative members to put a Senate plan up for a vote — if Senate leaders ever reach a deal. With concerns growing that global financial markets could be thrown into turmoil if Congress does not agree to raise the debt ceiling, Republicans said they did not know whether Mr. Boehner would have enough support from the most conservative members in his conference to put a Senate plan up for a vote — if the leaders reach a deal.
“The question is: What will Senate Republicans do, what will Senate Democrats do?” said Representative Adam Kinzinger, Republican of Illinois.“The question is: What will Senate Republicans do, what will Senate Democrats do?” said Representative Adam Kinzinger, Republican of Illinois.
Many Republicans said that however frustrated they were that the White House would not negotiate with them, they were just as dismayed with many of their own House colleagues, who would not back down from their demands that any deal include provisions to chip away at the health care law. Many Republicans said that however frustrated they were that the White House would not negotiate with them, they were just as dismayed with House colleagues who would not back down from their demands that any deal include provisions to chip away at the health care law.
“The problem here is that we don’t have a functioning majority,” said Representative Devin Nunes, a California Republican. “After three weeks of this, they’re still not figuring it out. I don’t know what it takes.” “The problem here is that we don’t have a functioning majority,” said Representative Devin Nunes, Republican of California. “After three weeks of this, they’re still not figuring it out. I don’t know what it takes.”
The proposal House Republican presented to the White House late last week called for increasing the Treasury Department’s authority to borrow money through Nov. 22, but only if Mr. Obama agreed to more expansive talks about overhauling the budget. The proposal House Republicans presented to the White House late last week called for increasing the Treasury Department’s authority to borrow money through Nov. 22, but only if Mr. Obama agreed to more expansive talks about overhauling the budget.
The breakdown in talks with the White House going into the weekend further strained an already tense relationship between House Republicans and the president.  Representative Aaron Schock, Republican of Illinois, called the development “a total breakdown in trust.” The failure of the talks with the White House further strained the relationship between House Republicans and the president. It was the House Republicans’ refusal to approve a spending bill until less it stripped financing for Mr. Obama’s health care law that shut down the government. And now Republicans in both the Senate and the House are looking for a way out of the crisis.
“You don’t tell the speaker, the majority leader, the majority whip,  ‘We’re going to negotiate.’ Then they come and tell our entire conference, ‘We’re going to negotiate,’ ” he said. “And then 24-hours later, you recant.” With the latest developments, Representative Aaron Schock, Republican of Illinois, said there had been “a total breakdown in trust” between House Republicans and the administration.
Feelings ran so high on the House floor on Saturday morning that there was a brief altercation between Representative Joseph Crowley, a Democrat from New York City, and the floor director for Representative Eric Cantor of Virginia, the majority leader. There were conflicting reports about whether the conflict became physical — or was confined to words — and Mr. Crowley said the Cantor aide later apologized to him. “You don’t tell the speaker, the majority leader, the majority whip, ‘We’re going to negotiate.’ Then they come and tell our entire conference, ‘We’re going to negotiate,’ ” he said. “And then 24 hours later, you recant.”
If Republicans needed any reminder about how outraged their most conservative supporters would be if they committed to a compromise that did not include provisions to weaken the president’s health care law, they needed look no further than out the window. Glenn Beck, the fiery radio personality, was leading a group of Tea Party activists on the National Mall. Feelings ran so high on the House floor on Saturday morning that there was a brief altercation between Representative Joseph Crowley, a Democrat from New York City, and Chris Vieson, the floor director for Representative Eric Cantor of Virginia, the majority leader. There were conflicting reports about whether the conflict became physical or was confined to words, but both sides said they had apologized.
As the House met to vote on yet another proposal that would go nowhere in the Senate, Mr. Reid called a vote on to begin debate on a Democratic proposal that would extend the debt ceiling through the end of 2014, with no strings attached. No Senate Republicans voted yes, and the measure failed to reach the 60-vote threshold it needed. If Republicans needed any reminder about how outraged their most conservative supporters would be if they committed to a compromise that did not include provisions to weaken the health care law, they needed look no further than out the window. Glenn Beck, the fiery radio personality, was leading a group of Tea Party activists on the National Mall.
Mr. Reid’s aides indicated that he would to keep pressure on Republicans as the debt ceiling deadline neared. As the House met on yet another proposal that would go nowhere in the Senate, Mr. Reid called a vote to begin debate on a Democratic proposal that would extend the debt ceiling through the end of 2014 with no strings attached. No Senate Republicans voted yes, and the measure failed to reach the 60-vote threshold it needed.
The White House called the Senate Republicans’ action irresponsible. “This bill would have taken the threat of default off the table, and given our nation’s businesses and the economy the certainty we need,” said Jay Carney, the White House press secretary. “With five days until the government runs out of borrowing authority, Congress needs to move forward with a solution.” Despite the expected failure of the Senate Democrats’ proposal, Mr. Reid could execute a procedural maneuver known as a motion to recommit that would allow him to bring the plan to a vote again, and aides indicated that he would to keep pressure on Republicans as the debt ceiling deadline neared on Thursday.
Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York, said of the Republican rejection of the debt-limit bill, “This is playing with fire.” The White House called the Senate Republicans’ action irresponsible. “This bill would have taken the threat of default off the table and given our nation’s businesses and the economy the certainty we need,” said Jay Carney, the White House press secretary. “With five days until the government runs out of borrowing authority, Congress needs to move forward with a solution.”
House Republicans remained skeptical that any Senate compromise plan could pass muster in the Republican-controlled House. Representative Thomas Massie, Republican of Kentucky, said simply: “Senate Republicans don’t run the Senate,” Mr. Massie said. “ So we’re not taking our lead from them.” House Republicans remained skeptical that any Senate compromise could pass muster in the Republican-controlled House. Representative Thomas Massie, Republican of Kentucky, said simply: “Senate Republicans don’t run the Senate. So we’re not taking our lead from them.”
And despite encouraging signs from the dialogue between Mr. McConnell and Mr. Reid, senators from both parties said they were being realistic. “Let’s be honest where we are,” said Senator Richard Durbin of Illinios, the No. 2 Senate Democrat. And despite encouraging signs from Mr. McConnell and Mr. Reid, senators from both parties said they did not have unrealistic expectations of any quick solution. “Let’s be honest where we are,” said Senator Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Senate Democrat.
In his weekly address, Mr. Obama called the efforts of House Republicans to end the standoff “a positive development,” adding that “there is no good reason anyone should keep suffering through this shutdown.”
“Once the debt ceiling is raised, and the shutdown is over, there’s a lot we can accomplish together,” Mr. Obama said.
In the Republican response, Representative Howard P. McKeon, the California Republican who is chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said the meeting at the White House had been positive. Mr. McKeon said the two parties had agreed on some funding programs during the shutdown, and he urged Democrats to sit down with Republicans and reach a compromise.