Boehner to bring clean debt ceiling vote

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Speaker of the House John Boehner announced Wednesday he would bring a "clean" debt ceiling bill to the floor Wednesday, hoping to avoid another showdown.

The Ohio Republican's announcement is a change from Monday night, when Boehner planned to attach a reverse in cuts to veteran's benefits to a debt ceiling hike. But he faced opposition from the conservative wing of his party, as well as resistance from Democrats who insist on sticking to President Obama's demand to raise the debt ceiling with no strings attached.

“House Republican leaders told members this morning that it is clear the paid-for military COLA (cost-of-living adjustment) provision will not attract enough support, so we will be bringing up a ‘clean’ debt limit bill tomorrow,” a Republican aide said. “Boehner made clear the G.O.P. would provide the requisite number of Republican votes for the measure but that Democrats will be expected to carry the vote.”

Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said the country was likely to hit its spending limit by February 27.

[New York Times]