Debt deadlock: Behind the scenes
Washington (CNN) – There is a growing sense among Democratic and Republican Senate leadership aides that House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, will be able to get enough votes to get his deficit reduction and debt ceiling increase bill passed. And if that happens, says a Senate GOP leadership aide, "the psychology changes overnight."
Republicans argue that a House-passed Boehner plan would then put the onus on Democrats. "If you filibuster Boehner, you filibuster us into default," says one GOP aide. The Democrats see it differently: "Whoever blocks the last thing is the culprit," says a Democratic leadership aide. "And Boehner won't be the last thing."
House debt ceiling bill does better on take 2
New York (CNNMoney) - The House's second take on a bill to resolve the debt ceiling crisis would meet a key GOP pledge. But that doesn't mean it's going far.
The amended proposal by House Speaker John Boehner would cut spending more than it would raise the federal borrowing limit, according to an analysis Wednesday by the Congressional Budget Office.
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Gingrich campaign t-shirts: Not 'Made in the USA'
Atlanta (CNN) –In an uncomfortable moment during a press availability at his presidential campaign headquarters Wednesday, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was asked to hold up a "Newt 2012" t-shirt for the cameras. "We asked for t-shirts to be sent to us and they were made in America," an ABC producer said. "I just picked up that one and it's made in El Salvador."
"It was a big thing when we talked to your campaign people about how you wanted things to be made in America, do you have plans to change things?" the producer asked.
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Debt ceiling debate focuses on House plan
Washington (CNN) - Competing Democratic and Republican plans to reduce federal deficits and raise the debt ceiling were subjected to a fresh round of criticism Wednesday, as signs of disarray emerged in a House Republican caucus split between unhappy conservatives and a leadership struggling to maintain party unity.
"Get your ass in line," House Speaker John Boehner told his fellow Republicans in the face of divisive infighting over his latest proposal, two GOP sources who attended a Wednesday morning meeting told CNN on condition of not being identified.
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McCain refers to 'tea party hobbits,' blasts Bachmann-backed idea
Washington (CNN) - On the same day that House Speaker John Boehner told Republicans to "Get your asses in line" and support his debt ceiling proposal, Sen. John McCain also blasted fellow Republicans.
In a Senate floor speech laced with sarcasm and stings, the Arizona Republican aimed especially harsh fire at the tea party Wednesday.
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Lawmakers say leaders must break stalemate
Washington (CNN) - With competing Republican and Democratic legislation to lift the debt ceiling bogged down in each chamber, key lawmakers say it is more and more likely it will be up to House and Senate leaders from each party to cut a late deal to stave off default before the August 2 deadline.
"There's going to have to be a compromise," said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-New York, who said the top five bipartisan congressional leaders will need to get in a room together and find agreement. "That's the end of the game; you can't have four of the five," Schumer said, referring to the top two party leaders in each chamber and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor.
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Palin returning to Iowa as her film hits TV screens
Washington (CNN) - Sarah Palin will return to Iowa over Labor Day weekend as she continues to stoke speculation about her presidential ambitions.
The former Alaska governor will be the keynote speaker at a tea party rally in the Des Moines suburb of Waukee in early September.
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The tea party's big moment
(CNN) - Don't be fooled by the tiny turnout at the tea party rally on Capitol Hill Wednesday. The conservative movement doesn't much need rallies anymore. November 2010 changed all of that.
Boasting powerful leaders inside the Senate and big numbers in the House of Representatives, the tea party just might show the world how it might govern come August 2, the nation's deadline for raising the debt ceiling.
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New Hampshire envoys to visit Perry
(CNN) – Texas Gov. Rick Perry will be wooed by yet another group of hopeful Republicans next week, when several New Hampshire GOP leaders travel to Austin for a meeting with the potential presidential contender.
Paul Young, a former executive director of the New Hampshire Republican Party, told CNN he was working to organize the trip because New Hampshire conservatives have voiced "a high level of interest" in Perry.
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Boehner to GOP members: 'Get your ass in line'
Washington (CNN) – House Speaker John Boehner leveled tough words at fellow Republicans Wednesday, telling conservatives who are unhappy his bill doesn't go far enough to "Get your ass in line."
Boehner's admonishment came during a closed-door meeting, during which House GOP leaders sought to rally support for their debt bill, according to two Republican sources who attended the meeting.
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