http://www.rollcall.com/news/welch_pushes_clean_debt_ceiling_vote-207770-1.htmlRep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) is advocating for a “clean” debt ceiling bill with just days to go until the nation hits a projected default deadline, even though a similar measure failed in May.
The legislation counts more than 100 co-sponsors, and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), Assistant Minority Leader James Clyburn (D-S.C.), Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson (Conn.) and Democratic Caucus Vice Chairman Xavier Becerra (Calif.) signed on to a letter from Welch encouraging colleagues to support the measure, according to spokesman Scott Coriell.
The Vermont Democrat’s proposed $2 trillion debt limit increase isn’t tied to a deficit reduction package, making it a non-starter for House Republicans. But Welch said he is nevertheless pressing ahead because “America is now on the doorstep of default.”
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“While we fully support continued efforts to reach a bipartisan agreement to significantly reduce the deficit, we believe it is essential to have legislation available for immediate Congressional action that will prevent America’s looming default,” Welch wrote in a letter to colleagues. “Failing to do so will be catastrophic for our economy and for hard working American families, seniors, and businesses.”