'Debt Agreement Bill' Passed to US Senate... Targeting 2nd, Amendment as Variable

The debt ceiling increase agreement, which will determine whether the United States experiences an unprecedented default, has passed the House and moved on to the Senate. As a vote is expected in the Senate on the 2nd (local time), voices urging swift action to prevent default are coming from Senate leaders, including Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. However, some lawmakers are showing signs of demanding amendments, which is expected to become a variable.

The Washington Post (WP) reported on the 1st that Senate leaders are encouraging their colleagues to act quickly to pass the bill before the default deadline of June 5th. In a floor speech that day, Majority Leader Schumer said, "If you want to prevent default, time is a luxury the Senate does not have," adding, "There is no reason to drag this process out to the end. I hope there will be no brinkmanship. Our country cannot afford that right now."

Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell also insisted that the bill must be passed before the default deadline. He persuaded Republicans by saying that the agreement includes progress to curb the Democrats' reckless spending addiction, acknowledging some concerns but stating they can be resolved in the future.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

They repeatedly urged their colleagues to pass the bill quickly without amendments. If amendments are approved in the Senate, the bill must go back to the House for approval. In that case, passing the bill before the default deadline of the 5th would be virtually impossible. Majority Leader Schumer stated, "I will not accept any changes that send this bill back to the House," adding, "That would lead to a default crisis."

The previous day, the House held a plenary session and passed the agreement with 314 votes in favor and 117 against. Senator John Thune, the Senate's second-ranking member, has announced plans to pass the bill by the night of the 2nd. Unlike the House, the Senate is controlled by the Democratic majority, so passage is virtually certain, but the variable is the movement demanding amendments. The previously disclosed agreement essentially postpones the debt ceiling until January 1, 2025, while partially reducing government spending. During the House vote, there was backlash from both Republican hardliners and Democratic progressives.

Mitch McConnell, Republican Senate Majority Leader
[Photo by EPA Yonhap News]

Currently, some senators are demanding that amendments be put to a vote. WP conveyed the atmosphere, saying, "Theoretically, if all 100 senators agree, the bill could be passed even on Thursday, the same day," but "several obstacles remain."

Republican Senator Rand Paul said he could agree to a fast legislative process if an amendment to cut federal spending by 5% is put to a vote. Republican Senator Mike Lee also announced plans to propose an amendment. Lee appeared on Glenn Beck's radio program and said, "This bill was made to do nothing," predicting about 20 votes against it in the Senate. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham also said he wants to increase defense spending further.