Without going into detail, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) says he’s prepared his caucus — including the most dug-in, conservative members who oppose raising the debt limit under almost all circumstances — that they’ll have to compromise. But he still can’t say publicly, with certainty, that the votes will be there to raise the debt limit before August 2, and thus avoid a catastrophic default.
Asked by a reporter at his weekly Thursday Capitol press conference whether he’s prepared his stubborn members for the fact that a deal to raise the debt limit will require compromise, Boehner said simply, “I have.”
But he gave mixed signals about whether he’ll be able to squeeze a debt limit bill through the Congress before August 2.
He acknowledged that some of his members won’t vote to authorize more borrowing except under the most extreme, and conservative circumstances. “I’m sure we’ve got some members who believe that, but I do not believe that would be anywhere close to the majority.”
But he couldn’t rule out the possibility that August 2 — the drop dead date to raise the debt limit — will come and go without a deal.
“That would not be my goal in any way shape or form,” Boehner said. “I believe that the Congress must act before August the 2nd, and I hope that we’re prepared to do that.”
As usual, Boehner seems keenly aware that something needs to happen soon.
“At the end of the day, we have the responsibility to act,” he said.
The question is whether he’s using this uncertainty as negotiating leverage, to protect himself against his angry caucus or simply because it’s genuine.
