House GOP setting a price to raise debt limit: Keystone or ACA

[jsr]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/02/03/house-gop-finalizes-debt-limit-playbook/

House GOP finalizes debt-limit playbook
By Robert Costa

Several House members told The Washington Post on Monday that Republican leaders have narrowed their list of possible debt-limit strategies to two options: trading a one-year extension for approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, or trading a one-year extension for repeal of the Affordable Care Act’s risk corridors.

Both plans, which were first discussed last week at the House GOP’s annual retreat in Cambridge, Md., will be debated further Tuesday morning, when House Republicans meet at the Capitol. House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) is said to be open to either approach, as long as it can win heavy GOP support.

A clean debt-limit extension is not yet on the GOP’s radar, though Boehner has said he would avoid default.

Other proposals, such as requesting a balanced-budget amendment in exchange for an extension, still have broad support in Republican ranks, but have been momentarily shelved, since they are unlikely to win even scattered Democratic support.

[BlueStreak]

1. Why don't Dems ever make any demands? How about this one?

OK. We will approve the Keystone pipeline. However, in return, Congress must pass these laws:

1) Eliminate all subsidies for oil production
2) Implement cap and trade to limit carbon emissions

and as long as we're making demands, how about some one that have no linkage at all just for fun?

3) Minimum wage of $12, and indexed to inflation from that point forward
4) Alternate minimum tax on corporations to eliminate the possibility of any profitable corporation evading their fair share of taxes
5) Penalties on exporting jobs, incentives for creating good American jobs.

Why are these demands always a one-way street. No wonder Obama keeps getting rolled.

[global1]

4. Yeah!!! If You Repugs Agree To Do Something For Me - I'll Approve The Keystone Pipeline....

It's time for the President to turn the tables on the Repugs.

[BlueStreak]

5. It is completely irresponsible of Obama NOT to do this

Look, the fact is that the pipeline won't change our carbon production. That oil will be shipped on trains if not on a pipeline. There can be a debate about which way is safer, but that completely misses the point. That filthy stuff should stay in the ground. We don't need it. Renewable energy is safe, available, and affordable. We just have to make it a priority.

So approve the damn pipeline, but only if we get a system in place where were really DO reduce our carbon emissions significantly. That is cap-and-trade with declining hard limits. That is ending subsidies for all fossil fuels. That is providing incentives for the US to be the global leader in solar and wind. That is continuing the push to more efficient transportation modes (fast trains, more efficient cars and trucks, etc.

So approve the pipeline already, but only when coupled with REAL ACTION on the climate.

We can do this if Obama doesn't sell us out once again.

[Arkana]

2. We don't negotiate with terrorists.

Domestic or foreign.

This is terrorism.

[Berlum]

3. "If you don't give us free rein to plunder the planet, we'll screw America. As usual." - Republicons