Stands Against House Republican Proposal, While Ignoring Debt Limit History

In yet another sign that she’s prepared to put the re-election efforts of herself and President Obama, ahead of avoiding the federal government defaulting on its debt for the first time in U.S. history, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) joined with her liberal party leaders last night in signing a letter announcing her firm opposition to the two-step plan offered by House Speaker John Boehner which will be voted on by the House later today.

In her letter, McCaskill joined with Democrat leaders Harry Reid and Chuck Schumer in claiming that an initial six-month extension, as opposed to the two year extension sought by President Obama, would put America at risk.  Notably, the Boehner bill has the strong support and endorsement of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce.  Ignoring that, McCaskill and her fellow Democrats write, “A short-term extension like the one in your bill would put America at risk, along with every family and business in it. Your approach would force us once again to face the threat of default in five or six short months.”

However, there is one huge problem with McCaskill’s spin – it’s not supported by facts or by history.

Over the last 40 years, there have been 37 separate debt limit increases that last 6 months or less, and never once has the federal government ultimately defaulted on its debt.  Meanwhile, the $2.4 trillion increase President Obama is seeking represents the largest single debt hike in history, and, quite conveniently, it kicks the can down the road past both he and Senator McCaskill’s re-election bids next year.

“As Claire McCaskill once again stands side-by-side with President Obama, and against the Missouri small business community, the only conclusion to draw is that they are more interested in their own re-election bids, than with avoiding a catastrophic default next week.  Senator McCaskill is playing politics with the full faith and credit of the U.S. economy and her partisan actions are shameful,” National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Brian Walsh said today.

As a reminder when you consider Senator McCaskill’s continued rhetoric on this issue and her claims that America would be put at risk with a short-term debt limit extension, McCaskill voted AGAINST raising the debt limit when President Bush was in the White House back in 2007.  Apparently her views on this key issue depends on which party controls the White House:

• “‘I couldn’t bring myself to vote for this,’ said Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill,. ‘President Bush and the previous Republican Congress have taken the surpluses from the Clinton administration and turned our budget to an unacceptable color of bright red. I am comforted by new pay-as-you-go rules that we put in place in January which will result in a surplus by 2012.’” (Rob Hotakainen, “U.S. debt rising $1.36 billion daily,” Kansas City Star, 9/29/07)