Leaderless Republicans rush headlong toward default

[FBaggins]

4. That's what the republicans want

It doesn't have to be part of the $3.5T package - reconciliation bills that just increase the debt limit don't "count" the same way as spending/taxing legislation.

The problem is that you can't get rid of the cap or just suspend it. All you can do is increase the limit to a new specific amount. Which involves figuring out how much spending in excess of income you plan to have between now and the next time you hit the cap.

That just about has to be a huge number.

Republicans want to point at that number. Democrats would much prefer to suspend the limit for a year. Same effect, but no headline number.