CHARLESTON, W.Va. — U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., joined 45 Republican colleagues in a letter stating they will not vote to increase the debt ceiling.
Senators circulated the letter Tuesday as the chamber considered amendments to a budget resolution on a $3.5 trillion measure. The sweeping proposal on health, family and environmental issues does not include an increase of how much money the federal government can borrow.
The forty-six senators criticized the Biden administration and Democrat-controlled Congress for “a massive and unprecedented deficit spending spree,” including the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill that lawmakers approved in March. Republicans additionally oppose the $3.5 trillion proposal. The Senate passed the related blueprint in a 50-49 vote early Wednesday.
“In order for this spending to occur, our nation’s debt limit will have to be increased significantly,” the senators said. “They have total control of the government, and the unilateral ability to raise the debt ceiling to accommodate their unilateral spending plans.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has suggested Democrats increase the debt ceiling on their own with the budget reconciliation measure, adding no Republicans are expected to back the increase. The Senate’s budget rules allow the chamber to pass a budget proposal with a simple majority and Vice President Kamala Harris possibly delivering a tie-breaking vote. Sixty votes are needed to pass measures through the regular process.
“We should not default on our debts under any circumstances. If Democrats threaten a default, it will only be because they refuse to vote for the debt ceiling increase necessitated by their own irresponsible spending,” the Republicans said.
“We, the undersigned Republican Senators, are letting Senate Democrats and the American public know that we will not vote to increase the debt ceiling, whether that increase comes through a stand-alone bill, a continuing resolution, or any other vehicle. This is a problem created by Democrat spending. Democrats will have to accept sole responsibility for facilitating it.”
Alabama’s Richard Shelby, Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski, Louisiana’s John Kennedy and Maine’s Susan Collins did not sign the letter. Shelby, who is not seeking reelection in 2022, serves as the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Congress agreed in August 2019 to suspend the debt limit through last month. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the Treasury Department has borrowed $28.5 trillion as of June 30. The agency also notes if Congress does nothing, the Treasury Department will likely run out of funds in October or November.
“After that point, the debt limit would cause delays of payments for government activities, a default on the government’s debt obligations, or both,” the CBO stated in a July 21 report.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he “cannot believe Republicans would let the country default.”
“It has always been bipartisan to deal with the debt ceiling,” Schumer added.
According to Schumer, the White House and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen prefer Congress approves an increase in a bipartisan manner.
“Reconciliation limits what you can do there,” he said. “Doing it outside gives you more flexibility.”
President Joe Biden said Wednesday that Republicans will not let the country default. He also criticized former President Donald Trump and Republicans for increasing the national debt by nearly $8 trillion over Trump’s four years in office
The Senate’s Wednesday morning vote happened after 14 hours of considering amendments. The $3.5 trillion proposal includes Medicare expansion, funding for clean energy, paid family leave and universal pre-kindergarten, and an extension of pandemic-level child tax credits. Democrats have proposed tax increases impacting wealthy Americans and corporations as one source for generating revenue.
Manchin, who joined Democrats in voting for the budget resolution, noted concerns with government spending following the vote.
“Given the current state of the economic recovery, it is simply irresponsible to continue spending at levels more suited to respond to a Great Depression or Great Recession – not an economy that is on the verge of overheating,” he said. “More importantly, I firmly believe that continuing to spend at irresponsible levels puts at risk our nation’s ability to respond to the unforeseen crises our country could face. I urge my colleagues to seriously consider this reality as this budget process unfolds in the coming weeks and months.”
Capito, who joined Republicans in opposing the blueprint, said lawmakers need to consider how spending could affect inflation and taxes.
“The partisan budget that passed along party lines today is remarkably irresponsible, and further exposes the divide between Democrats in Washington, D.C. and the hardworking West Virginians they want to endlessly tax,” she said.
The Senate adjourned Wednesday and will not be in Washington, D.C. until Sept. 13. The House of Representatives will return Aug. 23 to consider the budget resolution and other measures.