Senators in Washington have scrapped their plans to spend next week in their home states. Instead they will remain on Capitol Hill for 11th hour negotiations to deal with the deficit.
Senator Mark Udall (D-CO) must scrap town halls he scheduled for next week in Mineral, Alamosa and Custer Counties. Instead he’ll stay in the Capitol. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid cancelled the July 4th recess so the Senate could work on a compromise to raise the debt ceiling.
Udall says it was the right call.
“The clock is truly ticking on the need to raise the debt ceiling and address the national debt. Our debt is the greatest national security challenge we face.”
Democrats and Republicans are divided over whether to tackle the debt through higher taxes or deep cuts. From the Senate floor, Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) said lawmakers need to make sure they don’t cut too much.
“It’s our job, not as senators but Americans, to provide more opportunity, not less, to the people coming after us.”
As a result Bennet had to scrub his plans to meet next week with small business and community leaders in Colorado.
Capitol News Connection contributed to this report.
