Louisiana U.S. Senator David Vitter slammed a proposed debt plan put forth by Kentucky U.S. Mitch McConnell Monday, saying it “undercut” attempts by Republicans to decrease spending over the long-term.
The Louisiana Republican said a proposed plan to temporarily extend powers to President Obama allowing him to unilaterally raise the nation’s debt limit contradicts a push by the party’s conservative base.
“Unfortunately, the McConnell proposal undercuts all of these efforts,” Mr. Vitter said.
Mr. Vitter joined several other Senate Republicans, including Oklahoma U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, in criticizing their Mr. McConnell’s plan.
Mr. Vitter’s criticism comes as President Obama reiterated his call on Congress to raise the nation’s debt limit, vowing to veto a proposal capping federal spending, which the Republican-controlled House is expected to pass Tuesday. The Senate has already said it will not allow a vote on the measure, effectively kill it.
That said, Mr. Obama express optimism that congressional leadership will reach a deal before an August 2 deadline.
“We’re making progress,” Mr. Obama said Monday in response to a reporter’s question about the negotiations.
Still, the White House left no question about the president’s stance on the House Republicans’ bill. “If the president were presented this bill for signature, he would veto it,” the White House said in a statement.
