JustOneMinute
The Pinocchio Test
"WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama demanded on Monday that lawmakers raise the nation's $16.4 trillion federal debt limit quickly, warning that "Social Security benefits and veterans' checks will be delayed" if they don't and cautioning Republicans not to insist on cuts to government spending in exchange."
"The president obviously does not want to show all of his cards in this high-stakes game of poker. Raising the specter of not issuing Social Security checks is designed to raise pressure on Republicans, but could also cause angst among the elderly.
"At this point the answer is unclear but we become suspicious when politicians begin to use “may,” rather than speak in definitive sentences. If Treasury has the ability to keep paying Social Security benefits, even if the debt limit is reached, the Obama administration should make that clear. The Treasury Department’s new statement begins to add some clarity. We will keep watching how the president speaks about this issue."
White House to Paul Ryan: Yeah, about that budget deadline… "Last week, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan queried the White House on whether they had any intention of getting him a budget proposal in a timely fashion: “Given the critical importance of addressing our nation’s fiscal problems, I am writing to ask whether the President will submit his budget request this year on or before February 4 as required by law… If the Administration does not plan to meet the statutory deadline, when do you anticipate the request being made?” "
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