House To Take Up Clean Debt Limit Extension

The House may vote as early as Tuesday evening on a bill to increase the federal borrowing limit with no strings attached.

Rep. Dave Camp (R-Mich.) introduced the measure last week at the request of Republican leaders who want to demonstrate to President Obama that there is not enough support for the measure unless it is offset with spending cuts.

The GOP has turned the normally procedural vote into a huge issue this year as Washington struggles to find ways to cut into the country’s $14.3 trillion debt. What Republicans want in exchange for their help in raising the limit, is significant amounts of discretionary and mandatory spending cuts as well as a series of budget reforms that would bring down spending over time. The GOP also wants entitlements on the table, either as part of the debt ceiling bill or next year’s budget.

According to the daily schedule put out by House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), the House will begin debate on Camp’s measure at approximately 4:45 pm today, with votes to come at 6:30 pm.