ABOUT:
Defense policy analysis, commentary and discussion.The Senate quietly voted 52-45 on Thursday, largely along party lines, to allow a $500 billion increase in the federal debt limit.
The vote, blocking a motion to proceed on a Republican resolution of disapproval of the debt limit hike, came immediately after President Barack Obama’s jobs speech and before the opening of the NFL season — helping to ensure as little notice as possible.
One Democrat, Sen. Ben Nelson (Neb.), voted with the Republicans. Two Republicans, Sens. Bob Corker (Tenn.) and Scott Brown (Mass.), voted with the Democrats.
The disapproval resolution would surely have been vetoed by the president if it had reached his desk, but that’s now moot. The earlier deal lifting the debt ceiling set up votes on resolutions of disapproval for separate tranches of debt.
Want Roll Call on your doorstep?
SIGN UPAlready a subscriber?
Sign up to have the print PDF emailed to you.
Roll Call has launched a new feature, Hill Navigator, to advise congressional staffers and would-be staffers on how to manage workplace issues on Capitol Hill. Please send us your questions — anything from office etiquette, to handling awkward moments, to what happens when the work life gets too personal. Submissions will be treated anonymously.
