We all know Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) has no qualms about holding purely political votes on measures that have no chance of passing in the Senate. Reid has pledged, for example, to force a vote later this week on the Paul Ryan budget, for the sole purpose of voting it down and putting GOP Senators on the record “voting to exterminate the elderly,” etc.
But when House Republicans announce they are going to vote on a “clean” increase to the debt ceiling — a measure that is certain to fail — Reid cries foul, calling it “irresponsible.”
“I think it sends a terrible message to the international community,” he told reporters Tuesday. “They’re bringing up something that they know is going to fail. How does that help what we’re trying to do?”
Great question, Mr. Reid.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) scoffed at Reid’s suggestion. “I think it’s important for the markets and everyone else to understand that Congress doesn’t intend to raise the debt limit without doing something about spending,” he said. “It’ll be interesting to see how many of the members of the House, of either party, think it’s a good idea to raise the debt ceiling without any reductions in spending at all.”
To be fair, Republicans are being a touch hypocritical as well when it comes to their position on political “show votes,” but with one major difference. They have actually introduced, marked up, and passed a viable budget resolution. As all 47 GOP senators recently asked in a letter to Reid: Where is the Democratic plan?