Sen. Paul: No vacation for Congress until debt crisis is solved
(CNN)–Sen. Rand Paul wants the debt crisis solved quickly, even if it requires canceling his vacation until a deal is reached on the debt ceiling.
The Kentucky Republican is among lawmakers joining President Barack Obama’s calls for Congress to stay in session over the upcoming vacation week and confront America’s debt crisis.
"I've been disappointed. I've been here six months. Not one minute has been on the floor or in committee discussing the debt ceiling," Paul told CNN's Wolf Blitzer in an interview Wednesday. "We haven't passed a budget. We haven't passed an appropriations bill. I really think the American people deserve better."
Obama called on lawmakers Wednesday to overcome the "selfish" norms of politics and "do their job" in order to strike a deal on raising the federal government's current $14.3 trillion debt ceiling by the start of August. GOP leaders have shown no signs of yielding in their opposition to higher taxes as part of any grand bargain with the White House.
"I want everybody to understand that this is a jobs issue. This is not an abstraction," Obama said. "If the United States government, for the first time, cannot pay its bills – if it defaults – then the consequences for the U.S. economy will be significant and unpredictable. And that is not a good thing."
Top economic analysts have warned of potentially catastrophic repercussions if the ceiling is not raised by August 2, including skyrocketing interest rates and a plummeting U.S. dollar.
Paul said he will be proposing a raise in the debt ceiling contingent on three factors: The passing of a balanced budget amendment, the passing of significant cuts and statutory caps.
"I understand we may have to borrow some money, but we can't borrow money without reforming what’s going on up here," Paul said. "We want to fix the process, allow it to go up some and then start going toward the balanced budget."
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Dear Senator McConnell, please remind the JUNIOR Senator from Tennessee that Junior Senators from the Minority Party do not have the right to tell their bosses (you and Kyl in case your senility has caused you to forget this, like you have forgotten your job to help run the country, not get your energy company buddies the tax breaks and no regulations they want) that they cannot take a break. Especially when the services in the Capitol will be closed because all the workers will be on their 4th of July holiday.
yes, paul jr the country deserves much better and then there you are . . . . " I really think the American people deserve better."
I heard on the radio this morning that the Preisdent was the one who said no vacation to congress and no last minute cramming.
I guess it's okay for you to take a week off for all holidays while some of us, not everybody, gets one lousy Monday off or for people who don't get any time off during Easter but you people in congress get two weeks?
I wonder how much work you can do when it seems that at least 1/3 of your time since January 1 has been spent on vacation.
Good
After the next election permanently stay at home
I have to agree with him ON THIS ONE THING ONLY.
sen paul: children are meant to be seen and not heard....understood???
Well, maybe President Obama got through to some Teacans. But, Paul giving up his vacation is a joke. House and
Senate Teacans are taking turns at weeks off so they can stalemate any legislation. So his "vacation" doesn't start
until the House gets back from their Fourth of July parties. Speaking of vacations on taxpayers' dimes, they are
the epitome of waste, and selfishness.
"Sen. Paul: No vacation for Congress until debt crisis is solved"
Didn't the President just say this?
I don't Like you much Rand Paul ,but at lease this time you are right. The dept Ceiling should be taking care of first. Because this Is no Joke and could hurt America credit rating and that would be bad For all of American People. And If they drop are credit rating will have to pay more Interest on are Dept ,because the Interest would be higher. So you tell me how this Is going to save money. Not rising the dept ceiling would be dumb. And than let get to work on get the budget and the Deficit down.
That's EXACTLY what Obama said today. Paul, stop copying the president...
At $174,000+ a year plus benefits...do you really think your congressmen are earning their pay???.... Maybe to help cut the federal deficit, we should cut their pay and benefits that we pay for drastically!...They won't bring that up as an idea will they?? And let's face it folks, you have to be a millionaire to run for office anymore!! ..Who is really on welfare???... Who's working for who people? Wake up and let's flush the toilet and keep the door revolving with congress until we actually get people who understand how to get things done to bring this country around..There should be no lifetime benefits for these clowns either....what constitutional amendment allowed for that??? Did we the people get to vote about that???....I want to see results oriented people in congress and government offices in general, for the dollar they are being paid by us....how about anybody else out there??? Are you fed up yet??
The President said it first. Stop trying to imitate him and come up with something original.
of course thats what needs to be done ...get to work ...
Just get this done for Christ sake. The Dems are willing to cut spending. Now if the Republitards would just allow the tax breaks for the rich and oil cronies to go away, then we'll have a deal. SImple isn't it?
I agree that Congress should stay and do their job. However, until the Republicans get off their "no tax" high horse and stop holding the people of this country hostage, to cater to the ultra-wealthy and the oil companies, nothing will be accomplished. This is the worse group of partisan hacks I have ever seen in our government. They are bought and paid for by the big money guys, and they don't even try to hide it anymore. It's become absolutely disgusting. I hope our President stands firm against them and for the people of this country who elected him.
Paul doesn't know the difference between a tax cut and a subsidy cut. Ending subsidies for ethanol and not oil? If the oil industry is making record profits, it doesn't take a fifth grader to know they should not get any more subsidies. The oil industry need competition so the price will come down.
Why he can't figure this out is why our country's politicians are blind as bats.
I totally agree with Obama & Rand....Congrees DO your freaking JOB
Congressmen giving up a vacation after getting nothing accomplished? I'll believe that when I see pigs flying around DC.
Oh my!!! Is this so serious that Aqua Buda has to cancel a vacation!!!! The whole system is breaking down!! God protect us.
This is again taking the eye off the ball. The ball is the Republican stance of 100 our way or the Highway and in this case a catastrophe. This issue cannot be solved by spending cuts alone ever. To do so and Republicans know it is that if done thier way the blame will land on Obama/Democrats as unemployment will risefurther and Medicare and medicaid will cost Retirees a lot of money.
Time for Obama to say not increase in taxes via at least withdrawal of tax breaks and government subsidies eg the ethanol subsidy etc farm subsidies to farm run by corporates. The list goes on then he will veto the bill and the debt crisis will land where it should on the Republican door step Because as President I will have what I campaigned on in these circumstances which is Bi partisan solutions not one Party solutions, or dictats, you have given mejust one too many of those. Now its my turn, in the interests of bi partisan ship.
As far as I know neither the Obama deficit committee plan or Ryans budget Balances the Budget. So Rand Paul need to get real as talking about a balanced budget is Impractical nonsense without the added impetus of a global economic recovery.
Regards.
Hodgson.
Regards
I think Senator Paul has the right idea.....
sound like some of the gop is getting a little scared. president obama dont give in to these thugs. wgat ever happen it will be their fault.
First sensible statement from Paul. Lock them in until the wingnuts stop playing chicken with the American people's lives
Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, isn't that what the President said in his speech yesterday??????????????
Randy sure is a creative thinker.
A huge majority of Americans favor ending the Bush tax breaks for the filthy rich. Why won't the GOBPbaggers go along with average Americans? Oh, that's right, the teatards are an insane cult that refuses to stop worshipping its proven policy failures like deregulation, corporate welfare and sucking up to their billionaire owners.