Written by: Natalia Perez
Without the support of 10 Republican senators, Democrats will either have to remove the debt ceiling from the bill or risk a government shutdown. Lisa Murkowski (R- Alaska) isn’t fully comfortable with her fellow Republicans’ stance on the debt ceiling, which could risk a U.S. debt default or a government shutdown.
The moderate senator is one of several Republicans who are undecided on how to handle a bill that would avert a shutdown on Oct. 1, supply disaster relief money, and lift the debt ceiling through the 2022 election. Regardless of where they come down, it’s not going to be enough. Republicans are certain to filibuster the bill once it passes the House.
Sens. John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy, the two Louisiana Republicans, are viewed as probable “yes” votes after their state’s Hurricane Ida experience. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) declined to say if she’d vote to advance the bill, reiterating instead her hopes to keep the debt ceiling separate from government funding. Asked if she was undecided on how she might vote, Murkowski replied: “I’m just not telling anybody.”
However, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is making sure that no one else switches their stance. He is encouraging the caucus to stick together and stay strong to prevent a devastating government shutdown.
Photo from: The Washington Post
