The Senate has voted to raise the nation’s debt ceiling for three months in an effort to avoid defaulting on its public debt.
U.S. Senator Joe Manchin voted against the bill and in a statement released Thursday said this is just another time Congress has failed to address the nation’s financial challenges.
“Pretending that we aren’t accumulating more debt by the minute is irresponsible, reckless and unethical,” said Manchin. “We must deal with our out of control debt right here, right now,”
In his statement, Manchin added that the country will never be able to move forward until the broken ways of Washington are fixed.
“We need to find a commonsense pathway toward fixing our long-term spending and debt problems, and I am committed to fixing our long-term finances so we don’t cripple our next generation,” said Manchin.
U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller, however, voted for the bill and in his own statement called it the responsible thing to do.
“It isn’t about spending; it’s about paying the bills we already have,” said Rockefeller. “Rather than holding our economy hostage and waiting until the last minute, we now have the assurance that we can honor our current obligations and avoid the risk of downgrading our nation’s credit rating again.”
In his statement, Rockefeller said if the ceiling was not raised, the economy would grow weaker, American jobs would have taken a hit, people’s retirement savings would be hurt and interest rates on loans and credit cards would have went up.
Rockefeller adds that the bill also protects Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security in the short term.
“Congress has taken strong steps to reduce the deficit and restore our fiscal solvency,” said Rockefeller. “We will do more. But it’s deeply important for every American that we avoid defaulting on our current responsibilities and seriously damaging our economy.”
The bill passed the Democratic controlled Senate by a 64-34 vote. It will now go to President Obama, who has said he will sign it. The Republican led House passed the legislation last week.
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Comments
RHytonen
"Senator"Joe Manchin is the most egregious corporatist and party traitor in all of congress.
Announcing you are a corporate-owned panderer to racist, Tea Party, economic Stockholm syndrome Dupes; by being a Republican, is one thing - but claiming to be a Democrat while belonging to ALEC, is quite another level of Fascism - a secret and duplicitous one.
February 1, 2013 at 4:30 am | Report comment
Marty
Go back to sleep buddy. Don't worry. Thanks to the irresponsible members of Congress and the Senate your welfare check will still be there. Maybe you could spend a little bit of it on an education. I recommend you start off with economics 101.
February 1, 2013 at 8:01 am | Report comment
Mac
Whew! Take a breath! To say he panders to the "racist Tea Party". . . etc. etc...! C'mon RHytonen - inhale some oxygen, hold your breath and relax before you rupture a blood vessel. If you could see "the big picture" you might ascertain the fact that the US is running out of money. Unless we cutback, and significantly raise YOUR taxes and MINE as well, we are headed to oblivion. We'll make the fall of Greece look like child's play! Since you mentioned ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council) where behind closed doors, corporations hand state legislators the changes to the law they desire that directly benefit their bottom line, I must ask you this: Isn't this the same move that GE's corporate officials worked out with Obama on the federal level? You know, where GE owes NO taxes to the federal government? So, which way do you want it? How dare you call Senator Manchin a traitor! He may become one of the Senate's most respected Democrats! Go study your world economic history again and present your findings when you finally outgrow your diapers!
February 2, 2013 at 9:54 pm | Report comment
Docbegone
Thank you Joe Manchin for standing up for America. We must face our problems and work to solve them.
As for the other Senator, that "puppet" will be gone soon.
February 1, 2013 at 11:42 am | Report comment
cutty77
This is a Very Stupid debate to begin with.We have more people in the country than ever before,and that cost more money to run the country than ever before,because Mr George Bush gave everybody tax breaks for his 8 years in Office.Bill Clinton had a surplus,and George spent every dime of it then some.Now Everybody wants to act like we are spending to much money.So many people in this Country have no clue whats going on.Bush started not one but 2 wars,who in the hell is going to pay for it.WE ARE GET A CLUE.
February 1, 2013 at 12:30 pm | Report comment