| In Washington, August means two things: searing heat and slow news days. But while the heat is here ahead of schedule, as August approaches, the front pages are as packed as ever. The Jan. 6 select committee begins work today. A massive bipartisan infrastructure deal hangs in the balance. And, of course, there's that whole worldwide pandemic. But there's another looming issue that you should keep your eye on — one that threatens the entire economy. "A Democrat is back in the White House," writes columnist Catherine Rampell. "Which means, right on schedule, Republicans are again trying to take the economy hostage — by refusing to raise the U.S. debt limit." You may recall multiple debt ceiling fights during Barack Obama's presidency, but under Donald Trump, Republicans joined with Democrats to raise the limit — twice! With Joe Biden as president, though, the GOP is back to its old chicanery. "To be clear, a debt-ceiling increase does not authorize new spending," Rampell explains. It just lets Treasury borrow to pay for previously authorized spending. If Treasury can't borrow, Social Security benefits, military and civilian salaries, and other crucial payments could be almost immediately affected. The longer-term consequences? Higher borrowing costs, and perhaps even a worldwide financial crisis. "All of which is to say that raising the debt ceiling should be a no-brainer," Rampell concludes. "And it often is — just not, apparently, when a Democrat is president."  (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post) Lifting the debt ceiling is necessary to pay bills racked up during the Trump years. It should be a no-brainer. By Catherine Rampell ● Read more » | | | | The low turnout so far isn't a good sign for the former president. By Henry Olsen ● Read more » | | | We will do what is necessary to understand what happened. By Bennie G. Thompson ● Read more » | | | | They will bring credibility to the panel and might learn something along the way. By Jennifer Rubin ● Read more » | | | | It is in everyone's interest to save anti-vaxxers from their own wrongheaded stubbornness. By Eugene Robinson ● Read more » | | | | Republican public officials who bray about defending "bodily integrity" — while actual American bodies needlessly go to the morgue — have ceased to serve the public. By Michael Gerson ● Read more » | | | | It's incredibly difficult to get a bipartisan infrastructure bill. And if you think that's bad, wait until we're past it. By Paul Waldman ● Read more » | | | | Reform can be passed via reconciliation, without Republican votes. By Janet Murguía and William Kristol ● Read more » | | | | Time is running out for the United States to act. By Josh Rogin ● Read more » | | | |
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