Deal Still Faces Hurdles

Hawks, libs expected to bolt—selling fine print to the rest is crucial
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 1, 2011 1:40 AM CDT
Deal Still Faces Hurdles Today
House Speaker John Boehner is confident he's got the votes to pass the new deal even without Dem support, but time will tell.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Not so fast. Is the debt ceiling agreement settled? Or could it still go down in flames? "We all may not be able to support it, or none us may be able to support it," Nancy Pelosi ominously told reporters yesterday ahead of today's Democratic caucus on the plan. The trick now is "selling the fine print"—the deal is "complicated, multi-dimensional and full of peril for the priorities of each side," notes Politico. Defections are expected by both liberals in the Senate and defense hawks in the House.

Too many defections could scuttle the plan, notes the Washington Post. Tea Party cover girl Michele Bachmann has already come out against the plan, and liberal Dems are complaining about the plan's lack of tax increases for the wealthy and failure to close corporate loopholes. House Speaker John Boehner is confident he has enough Republican support to pass the legislation even without clear Democratic backing. Though Pelosi earlier pledged her support, Boehner has vowed he's not going to rely on the party. (More John Boehner stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X