Senate approves debt hike after McConnell, GOP leaders vote 'yes'
Senate approves debt hike after McConnell, GOP leaders vote 'yes'
Twelve Republicans voted for a procedural motion after a lengthy delay.
by Ramsey Cox and Erik Wasson, The Hill
http://www.scoop.it/t/coffeeparty/p/4015850522/2014/02/12/senate-approves-debt-hike-after-mcconnell-gop-leaders-vote-yes
The Senate approved a hike to the debt ceiling on Wednesday — but only after a dramatic procedural vote that forced GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) to vote in favor of advancing the legislation.
McConnell and top lieutenant Sen. John Cornyn (Texas) backed the motion to end debate despite the GOP leader's difficult primary fight. His challenger immediately criticized the vote.
The 67-31 cloture vote took more Senate time than usual, highlighting the arm-twisting going on behind closed doors, as few Republicans wanted to be seen as casting the deciding vote for the bill. It wasn't gaveled closed until more than an hour after it began.
The debt hike was approved for final passage in a 55-43 vote, with all Republicans voting "no." ..........
Sixty votes were needed to clear the procedural hurdle because of a filibuster by Sen. Ted Cruz ................