The President has told us that Congress has routinely, at least until recently, passed increases in the debt ceiling without demanding any other considerations. That is simply at variance with the truth. The facts:

Between 1978 and 2013, there have been 53 votes to raise the ceiling. But 27 had attachments that dealt with related budgetary issues. Of those 27, 16 occurred when the Dems controlled Congress, 7 when Congress was split, and only 4 occurred when the Republicans controlled Congress.

So not only has the debt ceiling been held hostage to Congress' demands, but the Dems have done it 4 times more often than the Repubs.

If there is a protracted government shut down, will this even be needed so soon?

(10-04-2013 05:51 PM)chargeradio Wrote:  If there is a protracted government shut down, will this even be needed so soon?

Nah. Why pay our bills?

Btw, you do know that they have ALREADY spent that money, right? You do know that the House(Republican majority) has to authorize spending that money, right?

(10-04-2013 10:29 AM)QuestionSocratic Wrote:  The President has told us that Congress has routinely, at least until recently, passed increases in the debt ceiling without demanding any other considerations. That is simply at variance with the truth. The facts:

Between 1978 and 2013, there have been 53 votes to raise the ceiling. But 27 had attachments that dealt with related budgetary issues. Of those 27, 16 occurred when the Dems controlled Congress, 7 when Congress was split, and only 4 occurred when the Republicans controlled Congress.

So not only has the debt ceiling been held hostage to Congress' demands, but the Dems have done it 4 times more often than the Repubs.

Wow, 4xs as much. While both sides play with this and flip their rhetoric when they're not in charge, interesting to know who does it more often, though I'm not surprised. Thanks for the info, QS.

We have not spent any money not passed by the House.
You may have promised it, but you have not spent it.