This deal is garbage. The pdf doesn't indicate any current year cuts are made (not even Boehner's measly previous cuts), the non-passage of the Balanced Budget Amendment prevents nothing (in fact, it will merely provide a voting opportunity to give cover to endangered Democrats), all the supposed cuts are non-binding on future Congresses, and when the super-duper Joint Committee stalemates, Republicans will be exactly in the same spot they're in today.
"Similar to House-passed bill, framework authorizes POTUS to request second tranche of debt limit increase of $1.5T if:
Joint Committee cuts spending by greater amount than the requested debt limit hike,
OR
A Balanced Budget Amendment is sent to the states."
I don't think this is similar at all. I thought that both deals that had previously passed the House required the BBA to be sent to the States. Now there is a great, big, fat "OR" in there that virtually guarantees that no BBA will be sent.
A bad deal is a bad deal. A promised future vote means no BBA. If there is no BBA and no voted cuts then there will be a possible cosmetic cut to Medicare, not Medicaid though, and massive defense cut. Most Dems would vote for that today, knowing that the Medicare pork will get loaded back in anyway.
We need to double Defense spending over the next 4 years. We also need to cut Medicare and SSA by 5%/yr for 10 years, for all persons currently under 45 years old, followed by elimination of the programs at the end of 25 years for all persons not currently over 55.
We need it in the Constitution a 4% Rule.
1. Peacetime maintenance of the Armed Forces should not exceed 4% of GDP.
2. Debt Service should not exceed 4% of GDP.
3. Domestic spending, that is all expenditure other than National Defense and Debt Service should not exceed 4% of GDP.
4. No State should be allowed to disburse from the public treasury during peacetime more than 4% of that State's share of the GDP.
Combat expenditures above the 4% limit should need a 60% super majority, or a writ from the SCOTUS or other designated body in a Continuity of Operations chain if due to extraordinary circumstances Congress is unable to act.
We also need the following.
No person, except enlisted members of the Armed Forces and officers called to extended active duty in times of conflict, who derives over 50% of their income from funds disbursed from the Federal Treasury shall vote in any Federal election, that is for Congress. No person who derives over 50% of their income from any State or Local treasury shall vote in any election at the State or Local level in that jurisdiction. No person may contribute money to any campaign in an election for which they are not eligible to vote. No person however under this article shall be barred from voting or participating in any local board or body that does not have taxing or final contract approval power.
Note, due to the Electoral College no one would be prevented from voting for POTUS, since the Presidential Election is really just an opinion poll. This would however mean that school teachers would lose the right to vote in state and local races or to buy local politicians.
This is terrible. Congress is a deliberative, representative body not a corporation. My Congressman and Senators do not work for Reid, Boehner and McConnell. This scheme of making everything an emergency and then making members (who represent us!) hurry up and get onboard without serious debate is disgusting.
Just watched Jeff Sessions tell Fox that there should be at least a week of deliberation and I agree.
Again, Congressmen and Senators are not middle managers who exist to execute directives of senior leadership; they are equals who stand in our place.
This deal is garbage. The pdf doesn't indicate any current year cuts are made (not even Boehner's measly previous cuts), the non-passage of the Balanced Budget Amendment prevents nothing (in fact, it will merely provide a voting opportunity to give cover to endangered Democrats), all the supposed cuts are non-binding on future Congresses, and when the super-duper Joint Committee stalemates, Republicans will be exactly in the same spot they're in today.
Walk away from this abomination of a deal.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIt's better than nothing (clean debt-limit increase)
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"Similar to House-passed bill, framework authorizes POTUS to request second tranche of debt limit increase of $1.5T if:
Joint Committee cuts spending by greater amount than the requested debt limit hike,
OR
A Balanced Budget Amendment is sent to the states."
I don't think this is similar at all. I thought that both deals that had previously passed the House required the BBA to be sent to the States. Now there is a great, big, fat "OR" in there that virtually guarantees that no BBA will be sent.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseA bad deal is a bad deal. A promised future vote means no BBA. If there is no BBA and no voted cuts then there will be a possible cosmetic cut to Medicare, not Medicaid though, and massive defense cut. Most Dems would vote for that today, knowing that the Medicare pork will get loaded back in anyway.
We need to double Defense spending over the next 4 years. We also need to cut Medicare and SSA by 5%/yr for 10 years, for all persons currently under 45 years old, followed by elimination of the programs at the end of 25 years for all persons not currently over 55.
We need it in the Constitution a 4% Rule.
1. Peacetime maintenance of the Armed Forces should not exceed 4% of GDP.
2. Debt Service should not exceed 4% of GDP.
3. Domestic spending, that is all expenditure other than National Defense and Debt Service should not exceed 4% of GDP.
4. No State should be allowed to disburse from the public treasury during peacetime more than 4% of that State's share of the GDP.
Combat expenditures above the 4% limit should need a 60% super majority, or a writ from the SCOTUS or other designated body in a Continuity of Operations chain if due to extraordinary circumstances Congress is unable to act.
We also need the following.
No person, except enlisted members of the Armed Forces and officers called to extended active duty in times of conflict, who derives over 50% of their income from funds disbursed from the Federal Treasury shall vote in any Federal election, that is for Congress. No person who derives over 50% of their income from any State or Local treasury shall vote in any election at the State or Local level in that jurisdiction. No person may contribute money to any campaign in an election for which they are not eligible to vote. No person however under this article shall be barred from voting or participating in any local board or body that does not have taxing or final contract approval power.
Note, due to the Electoral College no one would be prevented from voting for POTUS, since the Presidential Election is really just an opinion poll. This would however mean that school teachers would lose the right to vote in state and local races or to buy local politicians.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseMs. Lopez:
This is terrible. Congress is a deliberative, representative body not a corporation. My Congressman and Senators do not work for Reid, Boehner and McConnell. This scheme of making everything an emergency and then making members (who represent us!) hurry up and get onboard without serious debate is disgusting.
Just watched Jeff Sessions tell Fox that there should be at least a week of deliberation and I agree.
Again, Congressmen and Senators are not middle managers who exist to execute directives of senior leadership; they are equals who stand in our place.
Outrage!
God bless
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDan Hoffman