2012-01-04 00:02:00
Democrats and Republicans Will Clash Again in Mere Months Over Debt Ceiling
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Stop me if you've heard this one before - the Democrats and Republicans are set to clash on the issue of raising the nation's debt ceiling.
If you've gotten tired of hearing the words "fiscal cliff" (and I'm sure that you probably have), prepare yourself for another phrase that will be bombarding your eardrums soon enough - "debt ceiling".
There was a time, many moons ago, when it was thought that the Democrats and Republicans would be able to reach a "grand bargain" to avoid the fiscal cliff. This "grand bargain" would deal with a number of issues in one fell swoop, including the need to once again raise the nation's debt ceiling.
This didn't end up happening, as the Democrats and Republicans fashioned a deal that prevented the country from going off the "fiscal cliff" but didn't deal with another pressing issue - the "debt ceiling".
Back in the summer of 2011, the Republicans and Democrats clashed over the nation's debt ceiling. An agreement was eventually reached, but the damage was done - S&P ended up downgrading the credit rating of the United States as a result of the crisis.
Here are the details of the bill that was passed back then:
124 Stat.251
August 2, 2011
Notes: Increased the debt limit to 14,694.0 Effective after September 21, 2011, increased the debt limit to 15,194.0 Effective after January 27, 2012, increased the debt limit to 16,394.0
New Limit: $16,394.0 Billion
So, $16.394 trillion is the current debt ceiling. Where is the debt sitting at now? Let's take a look:
$16,432,730,050,569.12
As you can see - the debt ceiling needs to be increased. The Treasury Department can take "extraordinary measures" to buy the country a bit more time, but the debt ceiling must be raised in February.
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Mere days after the "fiscal cliff" battle ended, the Democrats and Republicans are gearing up for another vicious fight, this time over the nation's debt ceiling. What will happen this time around?
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Here are some stats regarding the 91 debt ceiling increases that have taken place over the last 72 years:
Republican President, 54 Debt Ceiling Changes
Democratic President, 37 Debt Ceiling Changes
Republican Senate Majority, 22 Debt Ceiling Changes
Democratic Senate Majority, 69 Debt Ceiling Changes
Republican House Majority, 9 Debt Ceiling Changes
Democratic House Majority, 82 Debt Ceiling Changes
Source: Debt Ceiling Changes Since 1940
Filed under: General Knowledge
4 COMMENTS - What Say You?
Comment by P.T. Goodman on January 04, 2013 @ 12:46 am
I can see no reason for any clash on the debt ceiling. There need be no negotiations. The money will have already been spent; this is just about paying the bills, and the Constitution requires that we do exactly that. The Republicans will either vote to raise the ceiling or they will not. And they should accept responsibility for whatever decision they make.
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Comment by Denford Finke on January 05, 2013 @ 2:24 am
The "fiscal cliff" was NOT necessary. WHEN Romney/Ryan get in the White House we WILL REDUCE out national debt by $6 trillion and balance the budget the first year. By the third year, we WILL be out of all debt and putting money towards our own people. This will be done WITHOUT touching our SS, Medicare, the military, or the foreign aid (now at over $10 trillion per year). All of those things NEED to be highly reformed as well. This WILL be done as soon as we can impeach and jail the entire administration. LET'S GET WITH IT CONGRESSMEN, WE THE PEOPLE demand it! America can and WILL be a shining light on the hill with the Lord by our side. We must repent and call on HIM.
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Comment by R Allison on January 07, 2013 @ 11:27 am
The constitution also requires the US Senate pass a budget each year. That has not been done since April 2009.If you have no budget to work with you just keep on spending OUR money. The only way to help us get out of this is to PUSH for TERM LIMITS.
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Comment by Monique on January 10, 2013 @ 4:22 pm
Just wondering if Denford Finke can clarify.
"This will be done WITHOUT touching our SS, Medicare, the military, or the foreign aid..."
"All of those things NEED to be highly reformed as well."
Which is it?
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