Senate permits gov't to borrow an additional $1.9T

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON—Senate Democrats needed all the 60 votes at their disposal on Thursday to muscle through legislation allowing the government to go $1.9 trillion deeper in debt.

Democratic leaders were able to prevail on the politically volatile 60-39 vote only because Republican Sen.-elect Scott Brown of Massachusetts has yet to be seated. Republicans had insisted on a 60-vote, super-majority threshhold to pass the measure. An earlier test vote succeeded on a 60-40 vote.

The measure would would put the government on track for a national debt of $14.3 trillion—about $45,000 for every American—and it served as a vivid reminder of the United States' dire fiscal straits.

The massive increase in the debt limit would allow majority Democrats to avoid another vote until after the midterm elections this fall. New estimates released by the Congressional Budget Office on Tuesday show that the U.S. this year could run a deficit matching last year's record $1.4 trillion shortfall.



Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_14284855

bring the troops home NOW, and invest in JOBS JOBS JOBS....

Borrowing or inflating the money supply to fund only god knows what is NOT liberal policy. And if it is, that is one policy that this liberal disagrees with whole-heartedly.

Sen. Kent Conrad-D.... budget hearings on C-Span now... he saying we must cut Social Security and medicare... that there is NO other option. I wonder if he signed off on this latest $1.9 trillion?

What about Pentagon, Afghanistan, black budgets, Bonuses to Bankers? Can't cut anything that benefits Wall St... No siree...