US Democrats face backlash over debt deal [View All]

US Democrats face backlash over debt deal

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/01/us-democrats-backlash-debt-deal

Ewen MacAskill in Washington
guardian.co.uk, Monday 1 August 2011 20.38 BST

Some Democrats say too much ground has been conceded to Republicans in deal to prevent US defaulting on debts

Democratic leaders in Congress faced a backlash from party members on Monday over a deal done with the Republicans to prevent the US defaulting on its debts and to cut trillions in spending.

In spite of Democratic unhappiness, leaders from both parties expected Congress to pass the contentious legislation before Tuesday's default deadline.

Democrats at party meetings behind closed doors in the Senate and the House expressed concern that too much ground had been conceded to the Republicans and that the poorest in society would be the main victims.

The deal was worked out over the weekend by Barack Obama and congressional leaders.