A day after a great deal of optimism was created with the release of a budget plan by the Gang of Six, lawmakers in the Congress were clearly struggling today with how to move forward on a debt limit agreement.
Even those involved in the Gang of Six told reporters they're not convinced their product will become a part of a debt deal, which must be hatched by August 2.
"We've always said it's not a part of the debt ceiling," said Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA).
"But if they can use all or part of it, fine," Chambliss told reporters after a morning meeting of the group.
"We've got to make sure we don't do anything to mess up the very first important step of raising the debt ceiling," said Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), who has worked closely with Chambliss for months on this deal.
Warner said as many as 30 Senators were ready to officially sign on to the Gang of Six proposal, but it still wasn't clear how the plan might factor into the debt limit talks, even with some kind words yesterday from the White House.
As for what's next, Republicans in the House were demanding today that the Senate vote on their "Cut, Cap & Balance" plan, which was approved by the House 234-190 on Tuesday evening.
But Senate Democrats bitterly attacked the measure, and made clear it wasn't going to get much of their attention in coming days.
Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) told a news conference that Cut, Cap & Balance was more like "cruel, stupid and dangerous," while Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told House Republicans to come up with another plan.
"They've got to become real," Reid scoffed on the Senate floor this morning.
That didn't go unnoticed by House Republicans.
"Senator Reid, you've heard from the House," said Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH). "We have a plan, it's called Cut, Cap and Balance."
So, with 13 days until the August 2 deadline for debt limit action set by the Obama Administration, it wasn't obvious today where this debate is heading.
There was some talk about a short term increase in the debt limit, giving more time for work on the Gang of Six budget plan.
But not only were House Republicans opposed to the Gang of Six details, but some House liberals also signaled they aren't interested.
"It's an insult to the Congress that we have to go to something like the Gang of Six," said Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY).
The bottom line right now - the clock is ticking - and no one seems to know exactly where the Congress is going.
