In a sign that they’re willing to let the country burn to demonstrate their power, Senate Republicans killed a bill that would have funded the government, raised the debt ceiling, avoided a government shutdown, and provided hurricane relief, the Washington Post reports.
The failure of the bill at Republican hands forces Democrats to scramble to find a way to continue funding the government after the midnight Thursday deadline. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announced no Republicans would support the bill so long as it raised the debt ceiling. Republicans have falsely stated that a debt ceiling increase would allow President Joe Biden to spend more when, in fact, the debt ceiling assures debts previously incurred by the federal government.
“We will support a clean continuing resolution that will prevent a government shutdown,” said McConnell. “We will not provide Republican votes for raising the debt limit.” The bill had passed the Democratic-led House last week on a party-line vote.