Republicans Question Urgency of Debt Limit Hike

Republicans are growing increasingly skeptical about the Obama administration’s contention that the debt limit must be increased by Aug. 2 to avoid a government default. At first it was just conservatives who were doubters, but now that belief is spreading to moderates as well, Politico reports.

House Speaker John Boehner said Sunday, “I understand the doubts.” Jim Nussle, director of the Office of Management and Budget under President George W. Bush, said last week that “no one’s going to default” if Congress doesn’t act by Aug. 2.

Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, the ranking Republican on the Senate Budget Committee, alleged that the White House is trying to panic Congress into action just as the Bush administration did in rounding up support for the bank bailout in 2008.