White House says Obama would sign short-term debt limit bill

[jsr]

http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/politicsnow/la-pn-obama-short-term-debt-limit-bill-20131010,0,5939095.story

White House says Obama would sign short-term debt limit bill
Kathleen Hennessey and Christi Parsons | October 10, 2013, 11:07 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- President Obama likely would sign legislation allowing the government to continue borrowing to cover obligations in the short term, even if it is not coupled with a measure reopening the government, a White House spokesman said Thursday.

“He wants Congress to do both. He wants Congress to fulfill both of its responsibilities,” White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters. “If Congress takes action without partisan strings attached, that would be a good thing.”

Later asked if Obama would sign a debt-limit bill without an accompanying spending bill, Carney said, “yes.”

The comments came hours after House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) proposed a six-week debt limit increase. Such a measure would remove the threat of federal default when the government runs out of borrowing authority sometime around Oct. 17. Boehner’s plan would be linked to a commitment by Obama to negotiate with Republicans over the budget, but would not be tied to any concrete changes in policy.

[tularetom]

1. I don't like the sound of this

But I won't say anything else until I know a little more about it.

[frazzled]

2. I think that it's a way of giving the R's a way out

of their self-made implosion. They can end this widely publicized, controversial, and devastating-to-their-political-fortunes standoff by signing a six-week extension. But they're not going to f**k with the debt ceiling again in November all over again. Right before the Thanksgiving recess, in six weeks' time, they can quietly raise the debt ceiling again, and be done with it.

The government closure is another story. I'm not sure how they'll decide to get out of that one.

[KoKo]

3. Well that's a reasonable view. But, there are always surprises...

I still think that "Entitlement Reform" in some stealth fashion will get into the deal over the Govt. shut down negotiations. And, wouldn't put it past Repugs to do a trick midnight vote in six weeks over the Debt Ceiling if they don't get what they want to reopen the Govt. Pushing this off closer to holidays when they all want to get out of town might lead to mischief.

We shall see.

[DJ13]

5. I'm tired of Obama saving the Republican's asses

[frazzled]

7. If it saves the US and world economies, it's worth it

His job is not to be our ideological cheerleader (or the politician in chief), but to run the country. And that means not letting it explode.

[DJ13]

8. Our country will never improve if the GOP can be extremists without consequence

[ProSense]

4. These media reports

“If a clean debt limit bill is passed, he would likely sign it,” Carney said.

The spokesman resisted the suggestion that signing such a bill would force the president into negotiating with Republicans while the government was shuttered.

...are conflating statements.

This is the President's statement from last night:

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 9, 2013

Readout of the President’s Meeting with the House Democratic Caucus

Today, the President met with the House Democratic Caucus at the White House. The meeting lasted over an hour. The President thanked the House Democrats for their support of the clean, short-term continuing resolution that would re-open the government and end the unnecessary pain this shutdown is causing families across the country. The President and Congressional Democrats will continue to urge the Republican Leadership to allow the bill passed by the Senate to have an up or down vote -- a bill that, if brought to the floor, would pass with a bipartisan majority and end this damaging government shutdown. The President and the House Democrats reaffirmed their shared belief that we cannot let one faction of the Republicans in the House demand a ransom for Congress doing its job and paying the bills we have already incurred. The President discussed his desire, once the threat of default is removed and the government is reopened, to engage with both sides on a discussion of how we achieve a broader budget agreement that puts job creation, economic growth, and a strong middle class front and center. The President is grateful to the members of the House Democratic caucus for continuing to promote those policies we need to achieve a better bargain for the middle class. He reminded them that what they are all fighting for has nothing to do with him, or other party leaders - but is about fighting for working families and building the ladders of opportunity so everyone who works hard has a chance to succeed.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/10/09/1245787/-Readout-of-President-Obama-s-meeting-with-House-Democratic-caucus

This is what Carney said today:

Carney: Obama 'Happy' That House Is Willing To Raise Debt Limit

President Barack Obama is pleased that Republicans at least seem willing to raise the debt ceiling, if only for a short period, instead of threatening the full faith and credit of the U.S., White House press secretary Jay Carney said Thursday.

Asked about a new House GOP proposal that would extend the debt limit by six-week period, but sustain a government shutdown, Carney sounded an optimistic note but stressed that the administration would need to see the actual bill.

"The president is happy that at least cooler heads seem to be prevailing in House," Carney told reporters at a daily press conference.

“The president strongly prefers a longer term solution," Carney added. "We'll see what the House Republicans propose and see what they are able to pass."

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/carney-obama-happy-that-house-is-backing-away-from-default

Sure, he's happy they're changing position, but let's see what they propose.





http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023817461

[True_Blue]

6. I've seen several articles like this today

but there's nothing in the official WH statement to indicate that the President would be willing to sign this short-term debt limit hike. I seriously doubt that he will sign anything that doesn't include reopening the govt.

"The GOP's New Plan Will Extend The Debt Ceiling For Six Weeks, But There's No End In Sight To The Shutdown"

"The full statement from a White House official:

"The President has made clear that he will not pay a ransom for Congress doing its job and paying our bills. It is better for economic certainty for Congress to take the threat of default off the table for as long as possible, which is why we support the Senate Democrats’ efforts to raise the debt limit for a year with no extraneous political strings attached. The President also believes that the Republican Leadership in the House should allow for an up or down vote on the clean continuing resolution passed by the Senate that would pass with a bipartisan majority to reopen the government. Once Republicans in Congress act to remove the threat of default and end this harmful government shutdown, the President will be willing to negotiate on a broader budget agreement to create jobs, grow the economy, and put our fiscal house in order. While we are willing to look at any proposal Congress puts forward to end these manufactured crises, we will not allow a faction of the Republicans in the House to hold the economy hostage to its extraneous and extreme political demands. Congress needs to pass a clean debt limit increase and a funding bill to reopen the government."

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/debt-ceiling-deadline-plan-thanksgiving-house-gop-government-shutdown-2013-10#ixzz2hLqobRMH

[madrchsod]

9. they will hold him up again in 6 weeks

if this deal goes through look for the world markets to react negatively to this so called plan