Mitch McConnell: Debt Ceiling Deal May Be Short-Term Without Entitlement Cuts

The Senate's top Republican is suggesting a short-term increase in the nation's borrowing limit unless there's deal soon that includes changes to big entitlement programs.

Economists and Obama administration officials are warning of a calamity if the government defaults on its obligations. The default deadline is Aug. 2.

Vice President Joe Biden is leading bipartisan talks on the debt limit and cuts in federal spending.

Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky says that if a deal doesn't include significant entitlement program changes, then legislation raising the borrowing limit for just a few months is likely.

He says lawmakers would return to what he calls "the same discussion" this fall.

McConnell appeared Sunday on CBS' "Face the Nation."

WATCH:

McConnell has long called for entitlement reform to be part of any deal on the debt limit. "I can assure you that to get my vote to raise the debt ceiling, for whatever that is worth… Medicare will be a part of it,” he said on “Meet the Press” last month.

Elsewhere on the Sunday shows, other lawmakers continued to discuss the debt ceiling talks and what it will take to reach a deal.

“There is no way on God's green earth you're going to balance the budget until you put entitlements on the table,” Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said Sunday on NBC's “Meet the Press.”

“We need to means test benefits. Everybody on this program could in the future give up some of their benefits for Social Security to keep it solvent. And you've got to do the same thing on Medicare: Slowly but surely adjust the age, and upper income Americans should pay more when it comes to Medicare.”

Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) appeared with Graham on “Meet the Press” and agreed with the South Carolina Republican that Medicare would have to be part of the debt ceiling discussions. “I certainly wouldn't go as far as the House Republican budget,” he told host David Gregory. “But there are ways to make health savings in Medicare.”

But Durbin did rule out raising the retirement age or means testing benefits, as Graham had proposed.

DAVID GREGORY: Could you see supporting raising the retirement age or means testing benefits?

SEN. DURBIN: No. Let me tell you--

DAVID GREGORY: Well, then where are the meaningful savings -- you say you don't want to break the promise. The reality is it's not sustainable for the future for the American people. Is that not true?

SEN. DURBIN: David, let me tell you: Saying to people, "Wait two more years for Medicare," is not a good idea. Think about how vulnerable people are at that age. Maybe they're retired, at this point have no health insurance; Medicare is their lifeline to basic health protection. And I think the House Republican budget went too far. We don't want to go that far.

WATCH:

Comments

[AA2011]

10:06 PM on 07/10/2011

When Paul Ryan released his budget, it was touted by him and the other GOP leaders as a grand vision thing. Now, they want to settle for a "small potato" deal because they can't get their way. They need to stop this political theater. They know that it is impossible to cut spending that deep and it is impossible not to raise taxes. The Republicans are playing games with Americans' lives. They will suffer for it. They should suffer for it. And they should be made a monirity party forever.

[p47nandmosquito]

08:03 PM on 06/21/2011

How many times does this have to be pointed out? WE'RE IN A RECESSION, THAT'S WHY THE BUDGET ISN'T BALANCED. Jeez, why can no one understand that. Fix the recession, and we're halfway to a balanced budget. If you're out of ideas for how to fix the recession, try the America Needs Jobs series or the recent article by President Clinton, those should be a good start. Then we repeal the Bush tax cuts, fix some loopholes, throw in the new tax rates proposed by Schakowski, eliminate the cap on the Medicare tax, institute a single payer healthcare system and merge Medicare into that for cost effectiveness, start a direct carbon tax to increase green innovation, simplify and strengthen regulation where possible, stop funding worthless military projects like the nearly disarmed Oliver Hazard Perrys and reorganize toward an effective force, get us out of the wars as soon as possible, cut totally unnecessary subsidies like the ones to oil companies and millionaire "farmers," oh, I think I've probably created a major surplus now without hurting anyone significantly, so I suppose I should stop.

[SisterAnn]

04:36 PM on 06/20/2011

When will they realize that cutting taxes, starting wars, sending our jobs overseas and cutting interest doesn't do much for the economy?

We have been set up. They used the money we paid for the Social Security bonds to the last penny. Now they are trying to cut the amount of what they will have to pay back.

They know they are not using common sense. They are being deceptive with everything they do.

They want to be imperialists, but they wouldn't make a pimple on an imperialist's rear end.

They act like they have the mentality of ten year old kids who haven't been taught anything financially.

Geither is governor of the IMF. Bernanke is high up there, too. The US could change the rules of the international monentary fund. Our leaders made the rules for global trading and could change those to make our economy work better.

[Neets101]

05:53 PM on 06/21/2011

Our leaders are beholden to the banks.

Secret of Oz, two hour run time:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swkq2E8mswI

Shorter print summary:

http://geofinancial.blogspot.com/2011/06/eliminate-ponzi-schemes-terminate-usury.html
See the article by Ellen Brown there if you have the time.

[AA2011]

10:34 PM on 07/10/2011

When the economy collapse. However, we can't change the rules willy nilly just because we're America. I agree that we, along with the British made all of the international social, economic, political, financial, and rules of war because we believe that we're the most powerful country in the world. But, that was when most of the world were still in darkness and unable to stand up to us. Times have changed, if we try to change the rules now without careful consultation and reasoning with the rest of the world, we will suffer the consequences. We just broke one rule we made the whole world agree to. We executed a Mexican national in Texas without allowing the Mexican Consulate to represent him. This is in violation of the Vienna Convention we convened. From now on, you can bet that any American caught committing a crime overseas will be subjected to that country's criminal law, including beheading and summary judgments that we abhor without allowing our embassy to represent us.

[procrustes13]

04:02 PM on 06/20/2011

America save yourself, Send the deficit terrorists to Gitmo

[SisterAnn]

04:39 PM on 06/20/2011

Believe it or not we have had a higher deficit than this. The big problem is not enough taxes being paid. So I suppose we should cut them some more, then extend them. :)

[dave6686]

03:46 PM on 06/20/2011

You go ahead and do that Mitch... And the American People will return the favor in kind and vote your lying greedy selfish @ss out of office. You're gone anyway so doesn't matter what you do actually.

[jmac44]

03:44 PM on 06/20/2011

The Republican Congress is mis directing the American Public with their "no new taxes" mantra. That may work well for the tax evader, loopholers, "job creators" but we Americans know that our life in America is not FREE. We have always had to carry the heavy load for the things we want. If we want Medicare, Soc Security, Medicaid then we must pay for it. We need to pay for it now. The current workforce has depleting tax collection, putting our programs in jeopardy. So what is our answer?. NO new taxes... I dont think so.

Republicans want so badly to get their hands on these programs that provide our security in our later years. The wealthy dont have our problems, our worries, our finances. These politicians are all covered for a great retirement, excellent med coverage, a security future. We are not... Ask the people of this country..."Will you pay higher taxes to support these programs?". So busy protecting the Bush Tax Breaks & the jobless "Job Creators" they cant begin to look at the only solution to this immediate problem. Taxes = Revenue....

NATIONAL MEDICARE TAX... 1 penny on every dollar spent $20= 20cents & so on. It wouldnt be so bad. Im retired on fixed income and Im more than willing to help our future seniors have the security I have with Medicare & Soc Security... If you dont like, think of something else. I'm in......

[Daniel Maeso]

03:59 PM on 07/10/2011

I am in the same boat as you. Mitch McConnell and "Mr. Speaker" and Cantor are all for the rich. Apparently they like rides on corporate jets and possible future positions on the board of directors of the super wealthy.

[Seven Teenatheart]

03:07 PM on 06/20/2011

People have paid into Social Security and Medicare for the bulk of their working lives, and just like that, these programs get called "entitlements".
And the people who have paid in are treated as if they want to mooch off of the government or the other taxpayers.

That's upsetting every time I hear or read it.

Sure the programs have issues that have to be addressed, but please treat the law abiding citizens who have worked for all these years to support these programs with respect and dignity, and give them some return on their investment.

[procrustes13]

04:03 PM on 06/20/2011

I'm disappointed that none of these people have met with physical harm as they surely intend such harm to their victims.

[glendadover]

10:39 AM on 06/21/2011

I agree with you. SS ad Medicare are not entitlements. When I retired I did not have a pension. The only thing I had was what I could save over the years and SS and Medicare.
I had to move out of a state where I was born and grew up because and couldn't afford the taxes on my retirement funds. I don't depend on SS and Medicare but it sure does help.

[AllShookUp]

03:01 PM on 06/20/2011

Cave to this extortion and they will go after social security next. There is no limit to what they will do to tank the economy.

We DO NOT negotiate with TERRORISTS.

[procrustes13]

04:03 PM on 06/20/2011

Indeed. Obama, if you really want change, use your anti-terrorist powers to send those terrorists to Gitmo!

[lordmi]

02:53 PM on 06/20/2011

No, dear, it is Your healthcare plan should be On The table - I don't want to pay for care for Morons like You.

[dave6686]

03:51 PM on 06/20/2011

Best solution so far! F&F

[glendadover]

10:41 AM on 06/21/2011

Their healthcare plan and their retirement funds should be on the table. Let them anti-up. They are millionairs and they will retire that way.

[maigrey]

02:45 PM on 06/20/2011

I was in a Doctors office this morning (took a friend in) and while waiting I over hear a conversation between two men about the debt ceiling and medicare. One says "hey we have the best medical care in the world, so if you can't afford well..." the other one picks up with "well I guess they die. Laughter" I lit up a cigarette blew the smoke in there faces and walked out.
I'm officially a misanthrope.

[VinnyThePooh]

02:43 PM on 06/20/2011

The GOTP: The Real Death Panel.

[Okieborn]

02:39 PM on 06/20/2011

This little chinless republican destructionist has No idea what it is like to be starving and ill with No where to turn !
Keep these republicans in office and believe me it is going to get a lot worse !!!

[VinnyThePooh]

02:52 PM on 06/20/2011

The Sinister Turtle.

[jmac44]

03:49 PM on 06/20/2011

He's from Kentucky. Dont those people get the news or radio or the outside world?. He hurts them as much as the rest of the country......

[AmosKnows]

02:35 PM on 06/20/2011

Solutions always involve the lowest members of the food chain - while the fat cats get massive bailouts, free money over the FED discount window (which has caused the start of hyper-inflation in essential goods), and the best representation money can buy.

[Political Piggy]

02:12 PM on 06/20/2011

"There is no way on God's green earth you're going to balance the budget until you put entitlements on the table,” Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said Sunday on NBC's “Meet the Press.”

There is also no way on God's earth of any color to balance the budget until revenue increases, by taxes or other means, are on the table either. And the Republican Tea Party says "...we have a spending problem..." in 3, 2, 1...

[jmac44]

03:55 PM on 06/20/2011

Thank you Peggy. "No new taxes' mantra has everyone afraid to say YES new taxes. We want our programs. We cant buy a loaf of bread for what we paid 20 yrs ago and yet the taxes are as low as 20 yrs ago... Cant wait until everything is lost then say, "Wow, maybe a tax to keep these programs might have worked".... Taxes = Revenue... right NOW we need REVENUE.....

[Ricardo01]

01:59 PM on 06/20/2011

McConnell's idea of Medicare being "on the table" means Democrats must accept the Heritage Foundation/Ryan plan or else. Polling of Americans and the recent election in NY prove that McConnell and the GOP are on the wrong side of this issue. The GOP wants to add the harming of the global economy to their to do list which makes them even more out of touch.

[ZappaFreak]

03:16 PM on 06/20/2011

It's a self inflicted death sentence for the GOTP. I say...let them shout it from the rooftops! It WILL be the demise of their pitiful excuse of a political party.

Hint to the GOTP: Political parties designed to serve the people who belong to them; were designed to push the ideas of it's members and not JUST the corporation's ideas; and should be totally transparent to the people of the United States in everything they do with a dollar.

These forgotten people are listed in the US Constitution as "We the People"...maybe some of you members of Congress should read this piece of paper. It may help you in your daily job duties of SERVING THE PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fanned and Faved!
ZF