July 26th, 2011
10:28 AM ET

Lawmakers struggle to break stalemate in debt talks

High-level debt ceiling talks dragged on between administration and congressional officials Tuesday as lawmakers struggled to devise a way to overcome deep partisan divisions and avoid an unprecedented national default that could now be little more than one week away.

Publicly, neither Democratic nor Republican leaders indicated a willingness to consider the latest proposal put forward by their counterparts.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, called a plan put forward by House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, a market-rattling "short-term solution" that "really isn't a solution at all." Boehner called Reid's blueprint a "blank check" for more uncontrolled spending that would undermine the economy.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, called Reid's plan "another (Democratic) attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of the American people."

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Filed under: Barack Obama • Congress • Economy • John Boehner • Politics • U.S.
soundoff (15 Responses)
  1. Mark L.

    All I really need to say is if the GOP and extreme right-wing Tea Party have it their way, they will turn this great nation of ours into another Somalia or Ethiopia. That is exactly the direction we're heading in.

    July 26, 2011 at 10:31 am | Report abuse |
  2. willard

    I mocked out of presdient obama 2012 cause he have too much weak of his job that he not strongest his presdient but I'm really belived that people untied state amercian like play game vote for presdient obama 2008

    July 26, 2011 at 11:08 am | Report abuse |
  3. Voter

    Wrong Mr. President. Your government offers two parties and thrives on division. During this last presidential election I placed my vote in the empty space and wrote in "Protest". I knew that the election was a sham. I'm an independent (40% voting block) and I demand a third party primary system in place so this country isn't left choosing a candidate chosen by the far right/left. Your government created this mess not the voters.. How dare you. I've never seen such cruelty, arrogance, ego and greed ever before in my life by anyone. Both parties are s c u m and I'm tired of being manipulated into believing if I vote one particular party that I will see better results. It's like watching little children.

    July 26, 2011 at 11:10 am | Report abuse |
    • A'mWatching

      Hey, why waste your time bickering? Go form yourself a third party. Wrong! you've already got a third party - Tea Party.

      July 26, 2011 at 12:36 pm | Report abuse |
  4. CSnSC

    @ Voter, youre not alone. Wouldnt be suprised to see that 40% increace in '12.

    July 26, 2011 at 11:20 am | Report abuse |
  5. Wanda Whitson

    I am wondering who is paying the speaker of the house to keep getting up and walk away. who is he working for? He is not listening to what the people want, he is not doing what is best for the situation, In fact the only thing he is doing is making himself look like more of an idiot than he did before. I can't believe this orange cry baby has this much power. Who is he really working for? answer that question and we may start to get somewhere.......

    July 26, 2011 at 11:39 am | Report abuse |
  6. Sean

    Unfortunately, that is the answer to the majority of the stupidity in Washington; follow the money. There is a reason the GOP doesn't want the top 2 percent of Americans (either commercial or private) to lose the tax discounts and waivers. Who do you think funds them? Do some research into campaign contributions. Republicans get their mone from corporations and the financial elite, most making a single maximum contribution. On the other hand was Obama's last campaign numbers that I saw – contributions of 5 to 25 dollars per contribution – and if I remember correctly; over 95 million has been donated to his coffers by your average American.

    July 26, 2011 at 11:53 am | Report abuse |
  7. Tim

    If our representatives were paid the salaries that average Americans live on they may not be as arrogant as they are now. I see veterans' groups and senior citizens sweating the crisis wondering if they will have any income. I sure hope that the first payments to take a hit are the representatives who can't pass the legislation to avert this crisis. If they can't do the job, don't pay them. While all the representatives are talking about generous or wasteful benefits, I have yet to see a proposal to reduce congressional salaries or the extremely generous retirement benefits our representatives get. Hopefully, "spring cleaning" will move to November.

    July 26, 2011 at 12:34 pm | Report abuse |
  8. ck

    i wonder if house speaker knows that he is a one term speaker. he is so disrepectful by walking out of the president during debt ceiling talks. i will not respect any person like him. mr. president u 're doing good u 'll get my vote in 2012.

    July 26, 2011 at 12:39 pm | Report abuse |
  9. ronnie

    If we take all the money form the rich people where we get the money next year?

    July 26, 2011 at 12:40 pm | Report abuse |
  10. Tony the prophet

    Get ready America collaspse is coming

    July 26, 2011 at 12:44 pm | Report abuse |
  11. jj

    whats the big deal if he walked out of the talks? you libs found it completely acceptable when the dems ducked and run in wisconson! you libs need to really make up your minds!

    July 26, 2011 at 5:47 pm | Report abuse |
  12. Amy A

    Get ready folks. Here comes The Greater Depression. Hope everyone can make it without all the pretty little things we have today. Too bad the President and Congress can't behave like rational adults. Instead they grand stand because of course they are right and have a stylist to keep them looking pretty for the cameras. How about we pay the Congressmen and women social security pay. Bet they'd have a fit and approve an increase then.

    July 26, 2011 at 7:30 pm | Report abuse |
  13. Sean

    My point is made, seeing all the responses. No one will help or hurt it. They just change the subject.

    July 27, 2011 at 6:09 am | Report abuse |
  14. Nick Davis

    The house speaker thinks he is the president , congress needs to listen to the president that's why we elected him . We will remember this come election day

    July 27, 2011 at 8:17 am | Report abuse |
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