House to vote on debt limit increase on Wednesday
The Republican-led House of Representatives will vote on Wednesday on a plan to suspend the nation's debt limit, CBS News has learned.
The plan, unveiled last week, would accommodate about three more months of borrowing while requiring the House and Senate to pass a budget. If either chamber failed to pass a budget, according to this proposal, their congressional salaries would be withheld.
- House GOP to seek three-month debt limit hike
- Poll: Americans want compromise over debt ceiling
- Geithner reinforces Obama's debt ceiling warning to Congress
Republicans are intent on reducing spending in exchange for raising the nation's borrowing authority. President Obama and Democrats, however, say there should be no conditions attached to the debt limit, since it covers debt already racked up in Washington -- not future spending.
If Congress fails to raise the $16.4 trillion limit, the nation could potentially default on its loans, which economists say would have a severe economic impact. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has informed Congress that the Treasury is expected to exhaust its borrowing authority by mid-February or early March.
