House Dems Doubt Boehner Plan's Success

“No.”  That seemed to be the consensus from Democratic lawmakers when asked Thursday if they or any other members of their caucus would support Speaker of the House John Boehner’s (R-OH) debt ceiling plan.

“I haven’t heard of a single person for it,” said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).  “Absolutely no one,” supports the Boehner plan, said Rep. John Larson (D-CT), adding that there is “not a single Blue Dog” for it either.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said that she “can’t speak for every member, but there will be unanimity,” in voting against Boehner’s plan.

John Boehner’s debt ceiling plan is on the House floor now and with signs that many Republicans will not support the measure, the lack of any Democrats in favor add uncertainty over whether the bill can pass.

Boehner: Neither Side Close To Debt Limit Agreement

By Philip Bunnell

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said Friday that no further progress between Republicans and Democrats on raising the nation’s debt limit had been made in the past 24 hours.

“We are not close to an agreement,” Boehner said to reporters after a meeting between GOP lawmakers.

Boehner said that “the House has done its job,” referring to the “Cut, Cap, and Balance Act,” which passed earlier in the week along party lines.

The Senate, however, voted 51-46 this morning to “table” the measure, effectively killing any hope the GOP may have had about sending the bill to President Obama’s desk.

Boehner, who described himself as a “happy warrior for Cut, Cap, & Balance,” and other House Republicans were quick to point the finger at Democrats in the upper chamber. 

“What has the Senate done?” asked House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.). “The House is done,” declared Candice Miller (R-Mich.).

Boehner is scheduled to go to the White House today for yet another round of talks with President Obama and other Congressional leaders.

Republican Leaders Reaffirm Tax Promise

After not meeting a bipartisan agreement about the lingering deficit problem, House Speaker John Boehner(R-OH) along with fellow Republican leaders reaffirmed their belief that tax increases will not benefit the American people.

Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers insisted that the Republican party has been helpful in the negotiations.

“Every step of the way the House Republicans, this new majority, has been a part of the solution”, McMorris-Rodgers said, adding that the President and Democratic party need to be more open to solutions they have been placed on the table to reduce the debt.

Reid And Boehner Hold Unannounced Meeting

CNN reports that current House Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV.) and soon to be Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) held an unannounced meeting in Reid’s office Wednesday.  According to CNN, aides for both lawmakers have said that neither would provide information about what was discussed.  

Same Faces, New Roles Predicted In House Leadership Elections

The House will hold leadership elections Wednesday for both parties, with most predicting that job titles and not faces will change.

The Republicans, who achieved the majority during the Midterm Elections, are expected to vote Ohio Congressman John Boehner in as Speaker of the House. Current Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) will likely be taking the role of House Majority Leader, second in command under Boehner.

For the Democrats, Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif..) is set to leave her role as Speaker and has voiced her candidacy to become House Minority Leader. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) is predicted to become Minority Whip with Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC.) to in line for a third in command role.

There has been some tension over Clyburn and Hoyer’s simultaneous bids for the Whip position and many Democrats are still wary of the prospect of Pelosi in a leadership position.