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Senate Democrats look for help from Republicans to pass budget deal Senate Democrats look for help from Republicans to move budget deal
(34 minutes later)
Republicans in the Senate could slow the progress of the bipartisan budget that passed the House last week, amid signs that a procedural vote scheduled for Tuesday may be tight.Republicans in the Senate could slow the progress of the bipartisan budget that passed the House last week, amid signs that a procedural vote scheduled for Tuesday may be tight.
Although Democratic supporters of the deal in the Senate believe it will attract enough support to achieve the required 60 votes to pass, some are warning that frayed relations with Republicans could result in the numbers being tight. Although Democratic supporters of the deal in the Senate believe it will attract enough support to achieve the required 60 votes to pass the procedural motion, some are warning that frayed relations with Republicans could result in the numbers being tight.
The $1tn deal, forged between Republican congressman Paul Ryan and Democratic senator Patty Murray, passed overwhelmingly in the House, by 332 to 94. If passed by the Senate, the agreement, which reduces blanket spending cuts and raises some new revenues without increasing taxes, would stave off the threat of another government shutdown for two years.The $1tn deal, forged between Republican congressman Paul Ryan and Democratic senator Patty Murray, passed overwhelmingly in the House, by 332 to 94. If passed by the Senate, the agreement, which reduces blanket spending cuts and raises some new revenues without increasing taxes, would stave off the threat of another government shutdown for two years.
However, the compromise does not entirely eradicate the possibility of the kind of brinkmanship which took Washington to the precipice earlier this year. While promoting his bill as a means to avoid another calamitous government closure, Ryan indicated that Republicans were still considering what they could "get out" of possible negotiations over the debt limit. However, the compromise does not entirely eradicate the possibility of the kind of brinksmanship which took Washington to the precipice earlier this year. While promoting his bill as a means to avoid another calamitous government closure, Ryan indicated that Republicans were still considering what they could "get out" of possible negotiations over the debt limit.
“We don't want nothing out of this debt limit. We're going to decide what it is we can accomplish out of this debt limit fight,” Ryan told Fox News Sunday. “We don't want nothing out of this debt limit. We're going to decide what it is we can accomplish out of this debt-limit fight,” Ryan told Fox News Sunday.
The White House has repeatedly said it will not negotiate over the debt limit, arguing that the routine increase to the Treasury's borrowing capacity should not be used as a bargaining tool. In reality, administration officials did discuss the limit during talks in October, and some Republicans may seek to use the technique to foster further concessions in an election year.The White House has repeatedly said it will not negotiate over the debt limit, arguing that the routine increase to the Treasury's borrowing capacity should not be used as a bargaining tool. In reality, administration officials did discuss the limit during talks in October, and some Republicans may seek to use the technique to foster further concessions in an election year.
For now, Ryan is focused on persuading Republicans colleagues in the Senate to support his bill and avoid a filibuster. If the bill had unanimous Democrat support, at least five Republicans would have to vote with them to move to a final vote on the bill. For now, Ryan is focused on persuading Republicans in the Senate to support his bill and avoid a filibuster. If the bill had unanimous Democrat support, at least five Republicans would have to vote with them to move to a final vote. But if, as expected, a handful of Democrats angry that it fails to renew unemployment benefits for over 1 million Americans decided to vote against, more Republican votes will be required.
But if, as expected, a handful of Democrats angry that it fails to renew unemployment benefits for over 1 million Americans decided to vote against, more Republican votes will be required.
Richard Durbin, the Senate majority whip, estimated that about eight Republicans were needed to support the bill. “The struggle is still on in the United States Senate,” he told CBS’s Face the Nation. “I feel we’ll have a good, strong showing from the Democratic side. But we need bipartisan support to pass it.”Richard Durbin, the Senate majority whip, estimated that about eight Republicans were needed to support the bill. “The struggle is still on in the United States Senate,” he told CBS’s Face the Nation. “I feel we’ll have a good, strong showing from the Democratic side. But we need bipartisan support to pass it.”
Conservatives have complained that the Ryan-Murray deal would increase federal spending and reduce support for working-age military veterans. Although unrelated to the budget, Republicans in the Senate are also fuming over a decision by Democrats to change the rules over the confirmation of administration appointments – robbing the Republicans of an opportunity to obstruct Barack Obama’s nominations to key posts. Conservatives have complained that the Ryan-Murray deal will increase federal spending and reduce support for working-age military veterans. Although unrelated to the budget, Republicans in the Senate are also fuming over a decision by Democrats to change the rules over the confirmation of administration appointments – robbing the Republicans of an opportunity to obstruct Barack Obama’s nominations to key posts.
Democratic majority leader Harry Reid held two all-night sessions in the Senate last week to force through Obama’s appointments. In an ambitious schedule, Reid is aiming to secure the confirmation of Jeh Johnson, Obama’s choice to replace Janet Napolitano as secretary for homeland security, and possibly Janet Yellen, who would become the first woman to head the Federal Reserve, before the Senate goes into recess on Friday. Democratic majority leader Harry Reid held two all-night sessions in the Senate last week, to force through Obama’s appointments. In an ambitious schedule, Reid is aiming to secure the confirmation of Jeh Johnson, Obama’s choice to replace Janet Napolitano as secretary for homeland security, and possibly Janet Yellen, who would become the first woman to head the Federal Reserve, before the Senate goes into recess on Friday.
However, Reid’s focus this week will inevitably be on the budget, particularly given that so many senior Republican senators, including minority leader Mitch McConnell and party whip John Cornyn, have signalled their opposition to the deal. Only a handful of Republicans have so far signalled they may vote in favour of the bill, including, most recently, Wisconsin senator Ron Johnson. However, Reid’s focus this week will inevitably be on the budget, particularly given that so many senior Republican senators, including the minority leader Mitch McConnell and party whip John Cornyn, have signalled their opposition to the deal. Only a handful of Republicans have so far signalled that they may vote in favour of the bill, including, most recently, the Wisconsin senator Ron Johnson.
The decision by Johnson, a Tea Party-aligned senator, to support the deal could be pivotal. The host of staunchly conservative groups which often steer Republican votes, such as Club For Growth and Heritage Action, lambasted the budget deal because it waters down planned spending cuts.The decision by Johnson, a Tea Party-aligned senator, to support the deal could be pivotal. The host of staunchly conservative groups which often steer Republican votes, such as Club For Growth and Heritage Action, lambasted the budget deal because it waters down planned spending cuts.
Most Republicans in the House took the unusual step of ignoring the guidance from the rightwing groups, but Republican senators are seemingly more cautious. As Durbin pointed out, they include potential presidential hopefuls, who would want to maintain the support of the radical conservative base, as well more moderate Republicans, such as McConnell and Cornyn facing primary challenges from Tea Party opponents in the new year. Most Republicans in the House took the unusual step of ignoring the guidance from the rightwing groups, but Republican senators are seemingly more cautious. As Durbin pointed out, they include potential presidential hopefuls, who would want to maintain the support of the radical conservative base, as well more moderate Republicans, such as McConnell and Cornyn, facing primary challenges from Tea Party opponents in the new year.
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