From the New York Times: “Senator Roy Blunt, Republican of Missouri, said “40 or 45” Republicans would be willing to allow a debt ceiling increase to come a vote, as long as they did not have to cast a public ballot. The problem, he said, was the other five. ‘It has to be everyone,’ Mr. Blunt said, predicting that the debt ceiling vote on Wednesday would be filibustered again.”
So in brief: Republican Senators know the debt ceiling needs to be increased, but none of them want to be on the record voting for it because it would be “bad politics” for their Base. They’re putting their political aspirations over the stability of the nation.