Rand Paul Plans Senate Filibuster Over Debt Ceiling

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is planning a Senate filibuster next week in an attempt to force debt ceiling negotiations into the open.

"We've had not one minute of debate about the debt ceiling in any committee," he said in an interview with C-SPAN's "Newsmakers" that aired on Sunday. "We haven't had a budget in two years. We haven't had an appropriations bill in two years. So I'm part of the freshmen group in the Senate that's saying, 'no more.'"

Paul's plan: "Next week, we will filibuster until we talk about the debt ceiling, until we talk about proposals."

He added that a group of senators in the "conservative wing" of the Republican Party will also be presenting a proposal to tie raising the debt limit to passage of a balanced budget amendment.

"[W]e will actually vote in favor of raising the debt ceiling next week if we can, but it will be contingent on passing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution," he said, adding, "I'm not completely without the sense that we may need to raise the debt ceiling. But I will only do it if we have significant budgetary reform, and to me that means you have to balance your budget every year."

Paul's announcement picks up where Sen. Ron Johnson's (R-Wis.) one-man filibuster attempt last Tuesday left off. Johnson declared that as long as the debt ceiling negotiations are held behind closed doors, he would block all unanimous consent calls, effectively putting a stop on Senate business.

"Unless we receive some assurance from the Democrat leadership that we will actually start addressing our budget out in the open, in the bright light of day -- I will begin to object," Johnson said on the Senate floor.

Johnson's stunt lasted a little more than two hours, eventually stopped by a procedural move by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

A balanced budget amendment has wide support within the Senate GOP caucus, but it has little chance of passing because of opposition from Democrats. Amending the Constitution requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states.

The Hill has also reported that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R-Ky.) office objects to tying a raise in the debt limit to passage of a balanced budget amendment.

Watch Rand Paul's comments on C-SPAN:

Watch more highlights from the other Sunday shows this week:

Comments

[JohnBryansFontaine]

12:28 PM on 07/09/2011

"...Rand Paul has spent the better part of a week ducking accusations that he harbors racist beliefs. .."

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/rand-pauls-base-neo-nazis-white-supremacist

[hgus]

10:42 AM on 07/07/2011

Why don't either Boehner or Obama challenge the other to a televised debate to resolve the budget deficit?

Just the two of them. A proper debate.

They could each make their case, if one were stonewalling the world would see and if one's postions were out of whack from what the people wanted, then the world would be able to determine what is RIGHT and what is WRONG.

After all, both sides think they are in the right, why not openly debate the issues?

If nothing else, whoever lays down the challenge will be seen as someone serious about being transparent and resolving the issue.

[hgus]

10:34 AM on 07/07/2011

Can someone answer me this?

How does cutting government spending create jobs and stimulate the economy now? Not 10 years from now, but now?

Cause all i care about is improving the economy right now. As Rand Paul said last night on AC360, once the economy gets back up and running we will have plenty of money.

So what is the plan for that Rand?

[Trevor Lyman]

06:49 PM on 07/06/2011

Couldn't Obama end the wars overseas and start closing bases overseas so we could save over a trillion a year and now have to worry about this? Didn't he promise to end the wars anyway?

[hgus]

10:38 AM on 07/07/2011

I am very disappointed with the pace of Afghanistan. But not too disappointed with Iraq.

We had over 100k troops and an unknown number of contractors. It takes a long LONG time to get out.

In the most basic sense. The military designed tents that could be set up quickly so that troops would have protections from the elements. They were not designed to be packed up quickly. That is just one example. For almost 10 years we have been bringing more and more stuff in there. Now all of that stuff needs to be packed up and moved out. That aint easy.

Another reason we shouldn't have gone to Iraq in the first place.

[MtnGeek]

11:47 AM on 07/06/2011

The epitome of peeing in the wind.

[kyleewonder777]

10:28 AM on 07/06/2011

And how long have the talks about a debt ceiling deal been going on? If he really wanted these talks out in the open then why is he waiting until the 11th hour to speak out about it. While I think that these talks do need to see the light of day, grandstanding in this late hour of the talks earns him zero cudos

[LucasOwenSmith]

07:13 PM on 07/05/2011

Rand Paul wants the debate on the Debt Ceiling to be held out in the open, in view of the Public?

Dear GOD! What far-right extremism! What savagery!

Reid & Boehner & Biden should be allowed to cut their deal in complete secrecy, away from the prying eyes of the people who elected them. Otherwise, how are they gonna get away with ramming through all their bribes & waivers & carveouts & kickbacks?

Remember Obamacare? That piece of glorious “transformational” legislation would never have passed, if the American People had been permitted to actually see what their “representatives” were voting on.

Rand Paul should be jailed as a TRAITOR, for even suggesting that the voting public be involved in the Debt Ceiling debate (LiberalOragonian actually declared so below). Our “betters” in Washington know what’s best for us. They shouldn’t be bothered with the input or participation of the American Public.

This is all far too important to consider what voters have to say about it. It should be left to the Bureaucratic Supergeniuses, like Harry Reid & John Boehner & Barrack Obama. They can determine the fate & future of our Republic. Behind closed doors. With zero public debate.

People like Rand Paul shouldn’t be allowed to discuss the Debt Ceiling on national TV; it undermines the infallibility of our Dear Leaders. In fact, we shouldn't even be allowed to discuss it HERE. Every one of us on this thread should be flagged for inappropriate language. & reported to authorities

[LucasOwenSmith]

07:38 PM on 07/05/2011

Can you people EXPLAIN to me why you are so threatened by a robust debate on the floor of the Senate? Why is Senator Paul an extremist for insisting that any deal that is struck, be fully aired & articulated & agreed to in full view of the American People, & only with their approval & consent?

Why does this concept terrify liberals so? Is it because you know you’ll lose the debate, & actually be forced to cut deeply into all the welfare programs you subsist on?

Yah, that must be terrifying.

[Mike Rock]

06:38 PM on 07/05/2011

This guy is a creep who needs to go up against the wall. IT'S TIME FOR A WEALTH CAP. $100 MILLION. NO ONE NEEDS MORE. IMPOSING IT WOULD FREE UP MORE THAN THE ENTIRE NATIONAL DEBT.

[gulamon]

07:29 PM on 07/05/2011

And send a lot of people packing.

[Robert SF]

12:38 AM on 07/06/2011

To where? In what country would they be safer than here? Let's call their bluff!

[skwan91607]

03:53 PM on 07/05/2011

BLOCKING DEBT CEILING RAISE TO SABOTAGE AMERICAN ECONOMY FROM RECOVERY.
Americans are SO CLEAR NOW to witness GOP Anti-Obama group trying every thing TO HOLD HOSTAGE on raising Debt Limit. Disregarding millions of Americans suffering by unemployment that is aimed at SABOTAGING the Recovery of American economy to create a disadvantageous condition to President Obama's election. On one hand GOP claim they want to do the "RIGHT" thing. It is meant President Obama's budget plan is "WRONG" thing. On the other hand GOP claim their plot will bring "GOOD" thing to Americans. It is meant every American will be beneficial. If that Obama's "WRONG" plan would give Obama a chance to be re-elected that cause Racist Tea Baggers and GOP to worry, so to block it. Then, Racist Tea Baggers and GOP are LIED to American people.and don't care of American people are suffering today. Even Raising the DEBT LIMIT that "WRONG" plan should be failed and so does Obama. Racist Tea Baggers and GOP will reach to the goal "Making Obama One Term President". Blocking Raising Debt Limit makes NO SENSE. What do Racist Tea Baggers and GOP fighting for ? All of you are paid by TAX MONEY to provide PUBLIC SERVICES. IT IS NOT REALITY SHOW. If your plan is "RIGHT", Raise the Debt Limit, then, Obama will be FAILED. DO THAT QUICK DUMMIES.. Otherwise, Your guys are hurting Americans now.

[seeker7]

03:52 PM on 07/05/2011

The republicans have more false principle than thoughts of whats good for the country's welfare.
They are expert at playing people's innate sense of selfishness.

[talkofliberty]

06:16 PM on 07/05/2011

Blank checks would be way better for everyone.

[Karma2U]

02:58 PM on 07/05/2011

I wonder how the Kochs feel about this little tool now.

[Lochness71]

01:32 PM on 07/05/2011

Congress is tragically and most likely irreversably broken.

[Ms Disbelef]

01:08 PM on 07/05/2011

Why would anyone listen to anyone who wears a poodle on his head and looks as though he seldom showers. These people nauseate me. This dude is a one-termer.

[James2039]

01:55 PM on 07/05/2011

Ah yes, because your appearance is what dictates all of your ideas.

Good thing Paris Hilton and George Clooney aren't up for election, you'd be campaigning so hard you'd have to quit your job.

[Stirner]

03:06 PM on 07/05/2011

Nothing like a good set of personal insults to win an argument. Barroom logic at its finest!

[jerrypl]

01:00 PM on 07/05/2011

The GOP angst over the debt ceiling could actually create a Wall Street investor landslide. The cause could actually be Rand Paul's Randian action plan.

[lNSCOUT]

02:08 PM on 07/05/2011

Nd that will be the republicans undoing.....not having worked to bankrupt the government, not having been wrong about foreign policy for years, not even tanking the economy in 08......but tanking it this year...or working on it......and that will be a grand old party indeed....to see them all fall.

[joeThibo]

06:36 PM on 07/05/2011

Well look at the Lib Democrats they tanked the economy in 2008 and they won the whitehouse. So now they wish to blame the GOP for tanking the economy by not increasing the debt ceiling I guess the GOP should win the Whitehouse in 2012.

[liberalOrgonian]

12:56 PM on 07/05/2011

The default of the USA will be blamed on REPUBLICANS.
They will ALL be blamed.
But mostly it will be blamed on Rand Paul who has this plan to
filibusterer the debt ceiling so it can't be voted upon.
This man should be charged as an enemy of the USA.
The plan to blame this on the president is not working, Mr. trader Paul.

[James2039]

01:57 PM on 07/05/2011

Ah yes, because just monetizing the debt (meaning, steal the money from everyone and debase the currency by lowering its value) is a MUCH better idea than just cutting the government waste and reducing government's role in our lives.

The government should ALWAYS being able to spend more than it brings in, because that's logically feasible!! Why can't it just have more bills than it has money? Logic doesn't apply to government!