House Republicans are discussing the prospect of a short-term extension in the nation's debt limit to avoid fault and give negotiations between lawmakers and the White House more time to succeed.
Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, the House Budget Committee chairman and erstwhile GOP vice presidential candidate, told reporters at House Republicans' retreat that members were "discussing the virtue of a short term debt limit extension."
Ryan elaborated that the idea would be to raise the nation’s borrowing authority for a few months and tie the matter into discussions with the White House and Senate on the other fiscal issues facing the country, such as the automatic spending cuts associated with the sequester and how to fund the government in the next fiscal year.
The comment is a significant development because it suggests there is movement in the House GOP Conference to avoid the debt limit when it's scheduled to hit in February, and instead shift the political battle in their favor by transforming the debate into a fight over shutting down the government or offsetting $110 billion dollars in cuts to defense and domestic programs.
When asked by NBC News whether he believed the House GOP Conference was unified enough to not have a repeat of the fiscal cliff fiasco, when many Republican lawmakers were reluctant to support plans by the GOP leadership, Ryan said, “We want people to have clear view of what's coming so there are no surprises, that means setting expectations accordingly so we can move forward in a unified basis.”
Ryan spent the morning with House Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp, R-Mich., briefing members about the upcoming “triple threat” of fiscal issues to be played out in Washington over the late winter and spring. GOP aides tell NBC News the talks are part of an effort by the Republican leadership to gauge the mood of the conference as well as map out the best possible path for the party in the next few months, so far they consider the response from members to be "positive."
The retreat is the House GOP’s annual occasion for members to talk to leadership, relax with their spouses and kids and also learn from communication professionals about to contour their message to fit the electorate. In light of the drubbing the GOP received amongst women and minorities in the 2012 election, the retreat will feature a seminar titled: “Coalitions-Discussion on Successful Communication with Minorities and Women.”


Once again caving in. have they no shame. the entire congress needs to be replaced. do the hard thing for once.
Yeah, like not paying for our obligations like a lot of deadbeats. That's real responsible, isn't it? That's all raising the debt ceiling amounts to: Paying for what we already agreed to buy.
The GOP couldn't even negotiate out of a paperbag !!!!
There isn't a GOP any more. It's old school GOP vs the Tea Stains, and the party is getting ripped to shreds!
On that point, I agree kitty, and the current speaker has no balls. He should listen to Gingrich on how to deal with obama as he did Clinton.
He's too busy crying. I went to the same high school as Boehner and believe me nobody in Cincinnati that I talk to is happy with him.
@ sonmanvb, Agree with the speaker of the house has NO BALLS...
In fact his is a disgrace , But Gingrich ranks right up there with being a lying Idiot...
I thought being a lying idiot was a job requirement for a politician.
Yes for the last 30 years of lying idiots ! This did not happen in this last 4 years ..
Start feeling the pain now. Why wait. let Obuma take the heat for 4 years.
If the debit limit isn't raised, the GOP will take 100% of the heat when the economy starts to tank.
Paul Ryan has voted to raise the debt limit every single time. When the Tea Party steamrolled in 2010, the budget cuts he proposed were nominal. He also approved the TARP bailout. True, he put together a Medicare voucher system, but my personal opinion is that he knew it wasn't going to pass anyway.
Ryan is a conservative ideologue like Gingrich, but his record is not fiscally conservative. No surprise he is asking for a temporary rise in the debt limit.
You have $100,000 in revenue to spend this year, after taxes. Your Credit is maxed out and you interest payments are 25% of all of what you earn. Your "other" expenses currently are $175,000. Do you cut back on your lifestyle or seek additional lines of credit?
I'm from the government and I'm here to help!
Do you try to pay off your credit card for things you bought but haven't paid for?
That's a better description of the debt limit.
Read the "Full Faith and Credit" clause in the 14th amendment. Yes, there are more than 2 amendments!
When was the last time the US debt was $0. You must know!
You do exactly what Timmy G. is doing...borrow from the Federal Employee Pensin Fund with a promise to replace it.
Dahly,
Liberals do not use logic, therefore they are incapable of following your post. I would recommend some name calling and slander.
They borrow from it every year, Sherriannie ~ and they replace it, with interest! I'm surprised that your concern doesn't extend to Social Security. Congress "borrows" the surplus funds from SS every year with the promise to replace it, with interest. But since the practice began in the mid-1960s, and a single red cent has been repaid. The payment principal ~ and interest accrued ~ is simply pencil whipped with a voucher and added to the national debt. To date, the total owed the Social Security trust is $2.43-TRILLION. There doesn't seem to be any great concern over that congressionally-approved theft.
@JiminTexas
Yes they have done it before, I know they did it last year also, not sure how many other times it has been done. I would be very worried if I had money in that fund, especially after what they have done to social security. If a private pension fund manager did it, they would be doing time.
16.4 trillion and climbing rapidly. There is absolutely no intent to decrease spending or reduce the annual debt or our national deficit. More are on the federal taxpayers nickel, than pay federal income taxes. and those collecting are growing at an unsustainable rate. Constitutionally limited government is today a myth. Our Founder knew that once the populuce voted themselves money from the national Kitty, we would be doomed. Barack Saul Alinsky Obama and his merry band of so called "Progressives," could care less.
I hope the president is smart enough to let the GOP know that he will not sign a short term extension that will accomplish nothing but to give the Republicans some advantage. They need to get together enough to pass a longer term bill, or go ahead and let them shut down the government. We all know that the only problem with getting things done right is because the GOP wants to build even more breaks for the richest few into the tax system. Their answer to the tax problem is a flat tax. A flat tax is the absolute worst type of tax for the poor and middle classes, and the very best for the richest few Americans. Right now the rich are paying only thirty-five percent at the most. The richest few, who get most of their income from dividends and tax trades, are paying only fifteen percent. How could we possibly run the country with these greedy people paying only the seventeen percent flat tax? Along with this flat tax proposal, the GOP wants to remove all taxes from dividends and stock trading. These are simply evil men who would make virtual slaves of more than ninety percent of the American people. Don' let them get away with it.
He pretty much has said that. NO GAMES this time. He won't negotiate with the GOP domestic terrorists that want to hold the US Economy hostage.
Should the school children of America - begin writing letters to Barack Obama to beg him to help get the economy going again and help their parents get much needed jobs for their families?
Would he read them at a press conference?
More important - would he do anything about it - going into his 5th year
Where are the "jobs, jobs, jobs" that the TP said was their priority in 2010?
Sitting on Dirty Harry Reid's desk.
Paul Ryan can't even balance his check book no less stratagize dealing with a national economy. The biggest problem with the GOP is that there isn't enough intellect within their party to come up with workable solutions. As the saying goes "You can be part of the problem or part of the solution." The GOP is obviously not going to be part of the real solution.
Sorry but intellect is not the problem. Lack of will is the problem. The Democrats always have more will. They turn out the vote. Republicans only vote when Democrats go to far. When there is a course correction Democrats eventually get back in. The pendulum swings both ways and it always will.
america land of the free, home of repbuli-can kicking
We are going to make the decision to spend more now, so we can talk about not spending more later, yep that makes perfect sense to me!
The debt limit is not about new spending. It's about paying EXISTING bills.
Like when you get a credit card bill for money you spent!
And BTW, SPENDING happens in CONGRESS, with ALL spending bills starting in the GOP CONTROLLED House! The President doesn't spend on his own!
I'm not the brightest bulb on the string but I could write a debt ceiling bill that accomplishes what everyone wants ~ pay current bills and prohibit overspending by the new congress. Put an absolute cap on all federal spending somewhere in the vicinity of what was spent on average between 2000-2010 ~ with the proviso that any overspending by congress will result in it being covered by money appropriated for congressional salaries and operating expenses ~ along with congressional retirement checks. When the spending is dumped on the doorstep of congress where it belongs instead of being shipped up to 1600 Pennsylvania (which is popular), then we will see some frugal management. Not likely before then.
There are a group of morons who seem to not know what they are doing at all Rayn is one of them. This group of fools have no idea how to do there woke and from the looks of it they never will, what a group of stud nuts..
Another low information voter. I bet you get unemployment, because with your spelling skills, i doubt you have a job.
Scott. Ryan's budget nuttiness went over like a lead balloon when he had his butt handed to him last Nov.
Herron, the simple fact is that Ryan's budget fell way short of the spending cuts required to pull the US out of this nose dive.
I would present facts to you about how the government works, but it would just fall on deaf ears.
I assume all the posters on here wanting the limit raised, have no problem stealing from their children and grandchildren?...........despite all arguments, that's exactly what it is....................despicable...........
I thought the reason to raise the debt ceiling is because that money has already been spent. What you are doing is saying YES we will honor our debt.
You do realize that there is sufficient revenue to pay current debts........raise the debt ceiling and the door is opened for further wasteful spending...If I came home to find raw sewage flooding my house to ceiling level, I think my best move would be to turn off the flow...not raise my ceiling. Let's see a budget that is required by law.....a budget that has not been seen in 4 years...............
Here is the real problem with all this crap...There hasn't been a budget passed in 4 years! To be honest, everyone of the idiots sitting in Washington should be impeach and removed from office.
The Constitution REQUIRES the congress to pass a budget every year. If you were to break the law, you would be in jail but all these nut bags collect checks.
The outrage should be on both sides not just on the Republican side. Hell you would go broke if you tried to this crap with your home budget.
Wake up!
When you get the CC bill for that TV you bought at xmas, do you try to pay it, or do you tell the CC company you won't pay it until your boss gives you a raise?
If you don't pay your EXISTING bill, how does that impact YOUR credit score?
1. I do not spend money I do not have
2. I ensure I have a rainey day fund equal to 6 months of my monthly income
3. I ensure that if I was to borrow any money that is is below 1/4 of my net pay after bill have been paid
If you want to be debt free, you have to work at it, plan and make sacrifices. The only debt I have is my home, which will be paid off in 7 years. I would hate to see what debt you have.
i hope the big oh vetoes this. make them come up with a real proposal.
Obama is building his house of cards, so let him do it, let it all come crashing down! He wanted taxes raised back to Clinton era rates but not the Clinton era spending cuts? Is it any suprise he wants the debt ceiling raised once again a move he called Buch un-patriotic for. The effects of this guys policis will be felt by generations to come
Please do business as usual you GOP pond slime, idealogue, ignorant jackasses. It is time we who are so utter disgusted with your self-interested childish behavior had a chance to toss you in the gutter where you belong. Go swim with the rest of the rats. What will you be doing when you cant whore an longer for industry and special interests to the detriment of your country?
Lincoln would deny any connection with you jerks. Good riddance your time has passed.
It's been interesting watching the GOP/TP in their attempt to commit "Suicide by Stupidity" the last few months. They just can't handle they lost the WH, 10 House Seats, and two Senate seats last Nov.
The GOP vs TP infighting will start to get interesting. C-span should show them in a cage matches!
herron --- the gnop/tp party are all taking the short bus to the romney inauguration. silly sarah is driving one of the buses.
I understand that they are expection 1 million people for the inauguration but only two people have to call in late for work.
Buff. Do YOU work Sundays?
Hrmmm; and they've had "how much time" to plan for this since the last ceiling change. What's changed that a few more months will make a difference? The answer is NOTHING. When is the present administration going to figure out ya can't spend what ya ain't got...We are screwed as we have been from the start with this poor excuse of a president and his cronies!
You do realise that this is congresses doing, don't you? No, of course you don't, its all the Presidents fault, cause Faux News told you it was, right??? Or, was it Rushkie Slimeballs???
The "word" administration was used. That includes everyone involved from the president on down; and yes it IS his fault. He is the CEO of the country and the responsibility rests on his shoulders.
Congress spends. The President doesn't.
And the debt limit is to pay for things where the money was already spent!
The Tea Party has a lot of characteristics of the KKK - a lot of southern evangelicals who hate blacks. These guys are obsessed with destroying a black president. The country is just collateral damage.
theres always some sphincter that pulls the race card isnt there...lol..what a putz
Actually, the KKK is a democrat institution.
Actually, the KKK is a democrat institution.
Tea Party People.
It's just a word some people like to use. You see, people of inferior intelligence can't understand big, complicated concepts, so they have to use buzzwords to try to explain their desire to do whatever the fark they please, no matter how offensive it is. "Freedom" is one of their favorite words, along with "it's my right!" and "First amendment!"
Don't you all have some concepts and institutions that don't really mean anything, but that can be depended on to get everyone teary-eyed with love of country? Dumb people need simple ideas and concepts to keep them grounded. Since they're dumb, they don't need logical arguments or ideas to flow from the initial thought, they just need the buzzword.
If you don't understand, you're doing it right.
"Freedom" is just a buzzword? I really do hope your from Euro Zone.
You call being an idealogue intelligent or following a concept dreamed up by 12 yr old punk, Gover Nordquist, still stuck in adolescence. Then we can point to the stellar intelligence level of the Tea Party candidate Todd Akin from Missouri. This imbecile thinks women can just shut down to control the risk of pregnancy during rape. Then we have the Gestapo in Arizona who somehow have ordained themselves the lord protectors against illegal immigrants. Whats interesting is there are whole segments of the economy that would collapse if there werent people. legal and illegal, willing to do horrible jobs for next to no pay.
Contrast this with top management of corp who award themselves huge bonuses in addition to more than fair salaries and all the while preside over a company that is falling apart- witness Whitman when she was head of HP - one stupid decision after another. Oh might I add these same individuals revolt against having to pay a dime more taxes on their hard to justify gains.
There are no simple solutions to complex problems. Oh by the way we are doing virtually nothing about global warming which is not a myth and is guaranteed to cause us much more problems than who pays a few dollars more taxes.
But then go back into you little world where all that matters is ideaology spouted by persons with no more intellect and no better justificaton than those who oppose them. Of course we turn it all over to politicans who have the intelligence and morality of your average hooker. No, most hookers are there because they had no opportunity, politicians had every opportunity but went to the highest bidder.
Such intelligence!
Once again, the can is kicked. Why on earth can't these people work, and do something that needs done, and needs done in a timely mannor? I am sick of this congress always putting everything off!!! Now they are off on a Retreat, paid for by us, W.T.F.??? Get your dimb asses back to work! You have any things to solve, befor you get any vacations!!! These Rethugs make me so sick!!!
NOTHING ever changes with these people, and NOTHING ever will!!!!
No, it won't be this time, as it will be vetoed. The House needs to do their jobs and not kick the can!
You can't trust Lyin Ryan, never could, never will! His weakass was nailed to the wall!
It's all the time Ryan spends in a cape, either hanging by his feet, or in a coffin to avoid sunlight!
The Tea Party has a lot of characteristics of the KKK - southern evangelicals who hate blacks. The country is just collateral damage to obsession with destroying a black president.
The only thing that's missing are the white sheets. They've already got the Gadsden flag.
you are wrong...what it shows is that white people don't have a monopoly on stupidity.
Ken, agree but you don't have to be black !!!!
what a bunch of wimps!!!!
history will show that some time in the future after our deficit is 35T and the US declares default, that the republicans failed to address the issue of the deficit and chickened out when the deficit ceiling was "16 T"...forget the democrats, they and their harvard educated economists have the masses convinced that entitlements are a way of life and forget the press, they're puppets of the wh....welcome to the united states of greece.
Potential movement from the Republicans in Congress... Does this mean that they might actually agree to participate in government?
where do i sign up for the freebies...wheeeeeee!