Nobody actually believes President Barack Obama’s vows to not negotiate on raising the debt ceiling, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) said.
“Oh, nobody believes that. Nobody believes that. He himself negotiated Bowles Simpson on the debt limit with Democrats. That was Kent Conrad’s requirement,” Ryan told National Review. “He himself negotiated the Budget Control Act with the debt limit. Graham Rudman. Bush Andrews Airforce Base. Clinton Gore ‘97. All of those major budget agreements were debt limit agreements. I see this time as no different and I believe he does too. I think most people believe he’s just posturing for now.”
Ryan’s comments come as the House seeks to pass a new continuing resolution bill that also delays Obamacare for one year and also includes a medical device tax repeal. Top Democrats were quick to criticize the proposal after it was unveiled.
Ryan also said he expects the ongoing fight over funding the government to eventually fold into negotiations over raising the debt ceiling.
“I think it will fold into the debt ceiling fight. I think that’s inevitable. And preferable in my opinion. I like combining all of our leverage, which is sequester and the debt limit,” Ryan told the magazine.
Ryan said right now Republicans feel a sense of urgency to do as much as possible against Obamacare before it kicks in on Oct. 1.
“I think that, we’re prior to Oct. 1, when Obamacare starts, and there’s just a great desire to do everything we can before that moment. And that’s understandable. I respect that. I think the Senate’s gonna have a tough vote,” Ryan said.
