MEMORANDUM
January 4, 2013
To: Speaker John Boehner
From: Chris Robling
Re: Debt limit increase
Hi Mr Speaker, congratulations on your re-election.
Here is a suggestion regarding the debt limit: I suggest you ask the Committee on Rules for an open rule, with allowance for one amendment in the nature of a substitute.
Then, ask the legislative drafting service to fashion a debt limit increase of $1 for every $41 in reduced total obligational authority in FY13, and the same ratio for the out-years of FY14-FY17. Send that to Ways and Means, notice up big hearings with all our best people to testify, and report it to the full House.
Minority Leader Pelosi will wail and gnash her teeth. that's great. I suggest you invite Paul Krugman to lunch in your private dining room, so he can meet with reporters afterwards and say, "I told the Speaker he is a nit-wit."
Then notice up floor consideration and a vote. Let the Dems move and lose their amendment in the nature of a substitute, which by its text will be a blank check for the Administration, with no limits anywhere on anything. Upon winning final passage, announce that the House is fibnished with this matter and moving on to work on the budget resolution, authorizations, etc, all the normal course.
The president may or may not call you, or Sen. Reid might, if he so desires. I suspect Sen. McConnell will appreciate the clarity, and your strengthening his hand. But, i suggest you state clearly that "the people's House has spoken, they may do as they wish."
I suggest it best if you do this in the next couple of weeks, to put the House position clearly -- and one hopes irrevocably -- on the table.
Thank you, happy 2013 and best regards from Chicago.
