Debt Limit Vote

Republicans in the Congress sent their message last night to the White House about an increase in the debt limit, as the House voted 318-97 against raising the nation's borrowing limit by over $2 trillion.

"Tonight's vote shows the House is listening to the American people," said Speaker John Boehner, who succeeded in dividing Democrats on the debt limit issue, as 97 voted for the bill, but 82 voted against it.  (See how your members voted below).

The reaction from Democrats was expected, that this vote was all for political show, a day before House Republicans sit down with President Obama to talk about the debt limit and budget.

"No matter which way one voted, the bill that was brought to the floor today was a farce and not a serious piece of legislation," complained Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY).

One interesting part of the roll call was that seven Democrats voted "Present" on whether to raise the debt ceiling; they were Ackerman D-NY, Chu D-CA, Doggett D-TX, Hinchey D-NY, Johnson D-GA, Kaptur D-OH and Meeks D-NY.

Rep. Lloyd Doggett's "Present" vote was interesting, since he had given a tough speech during debate against Republican budget plans, labeling this debt limit vote "Just one more step in the Republican effort to dismantle Medicare."

At the White House, officials were trying to downplay the vote, saying they are still optimistic a deal can be reached.

But at the same time, there was no appetite to accept the call by Speaker Boehner, who says every dollar the debt ceiling goes up must be offset by one dollar in budget cuts.

"Well, the President, as you know, agrees with members of both parties in Congress that we need to do something serious about deficit reduction," said White House spokesman Jay Carney.

Carney even pulled an old letter out to the Congress, written in 1982 by President Ronald Reagan, when he urged action on an increase in the debt ceiling.

"We agree with Ronald Reagan," Carney said.

Carney though didn't get into how as a Senator, Mr. Obama voted against a debt limit increase during the Bush Administration.

Here is the vote breakdown as provided by the Clerk of the House:

FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 379 (Republicans in roman; Democrats in italic; Independents underlined)
      H R 1954      2/3 YEA-AND-NAY      31-May-2011      7:11 PM
      QUESTION:  On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
      BILL TITLE: To implement the President's request to increase the statutory limit on the public debt