Senate Republicans are expected to block a bill on Monday that would fund the government and head off a U.S. debt default as part of a strategy to saddle Democrats with a hike in the nation's borrowing ceiling ahead of next year's midterm elections.
While both sides agree the $28.4 trillion limit on borrowing must be raised before the federal government defaults on its loans or has to stop paying military personnel or social security benefits, they are deadlocked over who should act.
The result is increasingly dire warnings of financial catastrophe and recession that could cost up to six million jobs.
The first deadline in a high-stakes week, with President Biden's vast spending plans on the line, comes on Monday evening.
Republicans have made clear they will not back a bill to fund the U.S. government through Dec. 3 and suspend the nation's borrowing limit until the end of next year.
'This could not be simpler,' said Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell last week.
'If they want to tax, borrow, and spend historic sums of money without our input, they’ll have to raise the debt limit without our help.
'This is the reality. I’ve been saying this very clearly since July.'
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has said Republicans will not support a bill that includes raising the U.S. debt ceiling in a vote on Monday. 'If they want to tax, borrow, and spend historic sums of money without our input, they’ll have to raise the debt limit without our help,' he said recently, despite the looming threat of a shutdown
Democrats face a crucial week with a series of votes that could define Joe Biden's presidency. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (r) is deep in negotiations to steer through a massive $3.5 trillion spending plan
A new report claims that a US default on federal debt would be 'catastrophic' to the economy, as Republicans and Democrats in Congress try to reach a deal this week
Instead, McConnell is urging Democrats to include their increase with their partisan multi-trillion dollar tax and spending plan - that President Biden and Nancy Pelosi hope to steer through Congress with only Democratic votes.
'They cannot put partisan ambitions ahead of basic duties,' said McConnell.
'The party-line authors of this reckless taxing and spending spree will be the party-line owners of raising the debt limit.'
Democrats are pushing through their $3.5 trillion spending package using a legislative process known as reconciliation, allowing them to avoid Republican opposition in the form of the filibuster.
Adding the debt ceiling to the package would highlight the price tag - which Republicans say may end up as much as $4.3 trillion - and distract from popular elements such as paid family leave, say insiders.
'The price tag and then the tax hikes that have to go along with that are going to be a core argument for Republicans next year in the mid-terms,' said a Senate GOP aide.
Jeanne Zaino, professor of political science at Iona College, told DailyMail.com that McConnell had a clear eye on winning back the House and the Senate next week, and his moves had made it harder for Democrats to push the benefits of their spending plan.
'Whether it's free education or these
