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Sen. Jim DeMint, (R-SC), argues the “cut, cap and balance” plan may be the only option for Obama to get a debt limit increase.
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-- joining us now -- Tea Party leader.
Supporter of the cut cap and balance measure senator Jim demand also author of the new book the great American awakening.
-- -- weakening -- my mind and senator Jim -- has had more than a little to -- with senator good to have you with.
Lou it's not a great to be with you and before you -- -- -- of -- -- and so -- -- -- -- -- balance.
President Obama -- -- Ornament where I have a pronounced the death sentence on the on on -- are cut capital balance Ono did the the gentleman before you who is giving you an alternate -- -- suggested it was down on travel but the president needs to understand him.
This is the only bill that's likely to pass the house.
That would give him the increase in the debt limit that he wants.
And it's something that the senate should take seriously there's nothing unreasonable about it giving that should the states the opportunity -- decide on a balanced budget amendment.
Is hardly a high hurdle and over twenty Democrats in the senate -- own record supporting a balanced budget amendment of the constitution so.
Before the president discounts that he needs to realize this may be the only chance he has to get the debt limit increase.
Yeah I I think you maker terrific point I do want to say when you referenced wrote my colleague Richardson reporting from Capitol Hill.
He is I think as you might I understand the term.
Giving us a a sense of the of the senate as well as the house.
On these issues right now to the to the best that we understand it.
And the idea that cap the -- -- and balance would not work cannot worker cannot be passed.
What are the hurdles it this legislation does space.
We are right now looking in on August 2 deadline effectively.
Four of them moving the debt sailing.
Where do we stand there what do you think of the gang of six proposal.
And we'll move on to some other ideas from their -- that.
-- the gang of six proposal has not even been written in the legislation and it's gonna have to go through the finance committee the chances of it being ready.
For this August 2 deadline it's are slim to none in my opinion that doesn't mean they won't pull pieces out and try to pass some with a McConnell type plan.
But these things are not gonna go through the house and the the easiest and quickest thing for the senate to do.
Is to take a hard look at this cut can't balance planned Lou because it is it's hardly a radical idea.
Most Americans if if they were presented the facts on this.
Would agree out of hand that we need to balance our budget -- over 70% of Americans say we need to.
So it's something that we're gonna continue to fight for I just met with.
Dozens of outside groups we've got over a hundred conservative groups over a hundred Tea Party groups.
All supporting this and I'm just -- we can find a few Democrats -- realize that if if they want to avoid August 2 deadline.
This is the only bill that's got a language ready to go.
And and by the -- the senator for those who were -- question.
And rebut what the politics are what the senator just said.
To the best of my understanding that is exactly the case right now in legislative form ready to be voted on.
A a resolution that there would lead to a lifting of the debt -- -- I talked with your colleagues senator Mike -- you huge.
-- -- an ardent supporter of the balanced budget amendment.
A and -- Believer and advocate for a return to constitutional government.
How many votes do you have do you believe -- -- refers.
A rather than where we are how many votes do you think you'll have in the senate for cut captain balance.
It's hard to say right now Lou I think it needs to settle land on the Democrats in the present.
This is likely only bill that could pass the house so if they dismiss it out of hand we might be out of options so.
I think you're gonna have a few Democrats who look at this bill and see that's a few Democrats voted for it in the house.
And though we may be able to get over fifty.
But what I'm afraid of is that the the Democrats are gonna filibuster this and not let us proceed to a debate.
And they're just -- senator Reid will bring it forward for a vote.
For -- debate yet we'll -- if if if he doesn't will force that but I think he'll bring it up for vote he'll try to kill it.
But I think again is the country becomes more familiar with this and in these outside groups -- their members know what it is.
I think people are gonna scratch your head and -- why don't.
And as an Obama want to balance the budget well.
I think folks already -- structured that pictures that are.
Concerning.
Senator Reid the majority leader he does have a dog in this -- -- -- in that.
That is the McConnell Reid proposal that would permit.
Three increments.
In in debt ceiling increases.
And gonna give the president at the same time authority to raise.
Of the debt ceiling and solve the so long as he meant those conditions for the for incremental increases and explain where the cuts would be that he would recommend.
You don't like that I did you.
Lou it's some.
-- know it's a bad idea we -- elected last November 2 to make it easier to increase spending and increase the debt.
The that the increase in the debt will be very real but the proposed spending cuts don't even have to be acted on by.
By congress.
That's not gonna fly Americans are stupid that there they're gonna know who's to blame.
If Republicans roll over and make it easier for the present to raise the debt limit so.
I'm confident that ideas and I don't want anywhere in -- and the house are -- he could result possibly -- -- in the senate.
So what we're back to cut cap and and balance I I don't know how we got -- but senator are we thank you for being here good to talk where it is always.
And and -- watch senator Jim dement is also the author of the new book.
The great American awakening back.
