McConnell's "Strategy"

 It seems as if McConnell's strategy, if we can call it that, is to allow for a continuing resolution that keeps the government operating, but not allow a vote on the debt ceiling. That's...odd.

My guess is that McConnell is hoping to accelerate the time line of the budget reconciliation bill that is currently being negotiated within the Democratic Caucus. With Manchinema and several House members gumming up the works, McConnell's plan seems to be to force a quick conclusion to the reconciliation bill, by forcing Democrats to include the debt ceiling in that reconciliation bill.

Frankly, it's time for brass knuckles.

First, Democrats should absolutely take the GOP up on its offer to decouple the CR from the reconciliation bill. Keep the lights on.

Then, once that is done, they need to work to take this ticking time bomb out of our government. But it will require Manchinema to get on board.

The Byrd Rule allows budget measures to pass with only a normal majority of votes, unlike regular legislation that "requires" 60 votes. But the filibuster can be ended for anything with 50 votes. Manchinema and others have said they will not vote to weaken the filibuster. 

BUT! The debt ceiling is about debt already appropriated by Congress. The debt, in other words, was accrued under the Byrd Rule requiring only 50 votes. The Senate should basically pass a rule saying that ANY legislation surrounding the debt ceiling is covered under the Byrd Rule. If the Parliamentarian rules against them, simply overrule her with a 50+1 vote. Obviously, that requires Democratic unity, which has been hard to come by. However, this is not "ending the filibuster." You could make an solid argument that it is not even tweaking the filibuster, because it's really just taking the Byrd Rule to its logical conclusion: debt falls under budgeting which falls under the Byrd Rule.

Getting rid of the debt ceiling entirely would be a good thing, since McConnell and the GOP have demonstrated that they will absolutely torpedo the American economy for partisan gain. However, it will require that Manchinema sign off on using their bare majority to end this stupidity. 

I would bet Manchin will do it, but I have no idea what Sinema is up to. I do know the business community hates this needless drama, so hopefully they will release their chokeholds on these two to do what's right.