An unnamed House Republican told the New York Times in a story published Thursday that Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) has provided assurances to colleagues that he’s willing to use a combination of Democratic and GOP votes to raise the debt limit and avoid a default.
From the Times:
The lawmaker, who spoke on the condition of not being named, said Mr. Boehner indicated he would be willing to violate the so-called Hastert rule if necessary to pass a debt limit increase. The informal rule refers to a policy of not bringing to the floor any measure that does not have a majority of Republican votes.
Other Republicans also said Thursday that they got the sense that Mr. Boehner, who held two meetings Wednesday with groups of House moderates, would do whatever was necessary to ensure that the country did not default on its debt.
House Republicans signaled Wednesday that they may seek to combine a continuing resolution that would re-open the government with the imminent showdown over the debt limit. Congress must raise the debt limit by Oct. 17 or risk a national and global calamity.
President Barack Obama said in an interview Wednesday that fear about the coming debt limit fight is justified.
