Debt Ceiling Debate Continues

It appears that Republicans will not attempt to increase the debt ceiling via the budget reconciliation process, for fear that opposition from far-right members of the party to any debt limit increase would tank the larger bill.  Instead, they will seek to deal with the issue as part of the upcoming government funding measure or a separate supplemental disaster aid bill.  The President is urging a two-year suspension of the debt limit, like the one that expired at the beginning of this year.  The GOP will almost certainly need Democratic support to deal with the debt limit and to keep the government open past March 14th, when the current temporary funding measure expires.  Democratic leadership has promised that the party will resist attempts to tie California wildfire aid to resolution of the debt limit and will demand significant concessions in return for their help in avoiding a government shutdown and a default on the country’s debt obligations.  House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) says that Republicans have not yet contacted him to open discussions.