Debt Votes Scheduled for this Week
President Obama held a meeting at the White House Sunday with House Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor to continue discussions on raising the debt ceiling. “[There is] nothing to report in terms of an agreement or progress,” stated Kevin Smith, spokesman for Speaker Boehner. Smith also confirmed that H.R. 2560, the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act of 2011, would be voted on today in the House of Representatives.
With the debt ceiling negotiations stalled at the White House, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced yesterday that the Senate would be in session 7 days a week until Congress passes legislation that would raise the debt ceiling. While H.R. 2560 is scheduled for a vote in the Senate this week, it is unlikely to pass and an ultimate decision will still be needed. The vote is likely to take place Saturday, July 23.
NRHA government affairs staff continues to lobby Congressional offices to make sure that rural facilities and beneficiaries are not harmed in these negotiations. NRHA encourages all Members of Congress to oppose any agreement that will significantly hamper rural beneficiaries’ access to care and hurt rural economies. Please visit the NRHA homepage to access contact information for your individual Senator and Congressman.