Issue: S. J. Res. 33, A joint resolution relating to increasing the debt limit. Question: On the Joint Resolution.
Result: Resolution passed in Senate, 50 to 49, 1 not voting. Subsequently passed in House, Roll Call 449, 12-15-21. Became Public Law 117–73 (signed by the President, 12-16-21). Democrats only scored.
Freedom First Society: S.J. Res. 33 raised the national debt ceiling by $2.5 trillion without any corresponding effort to roll back unconstitutional federal spending. We do not score the Republicans on this one for their inconsequential opposition posturing vote.
We have assigned (good vote) to the Nays and (bad vote) to the Yeas. (P = voted present; ? = not voting; blank = not listed on roll call.)
Bill Summary (Congressional Research Service):
Shown Here:
Public Law No: 117-73 (12/16/2021)
This joint resolution increases the public debt limit by $2.5 trillion.
Freedom First Society Analysis: The Senate vote on S.J. 33 followed a one-time change in the Senate procedure for voting to raise the debt limit to allow the Democrats to raise the debt ceiling (Senate vote 491). The Democrats voted here to raise the debt limit as expected.
We’re constantly told that it’s unthinkable for the government not to pay its debts on time. But apparently it’s not unthinkable to spend beyond our means and incur ever-increasing debt we cannot afford.
It’s important to recognize the orchestrated media betrayal — the option of serious federal rollbacks is not allowed in the “public discussion.” The public rarely hears from “experts” warning us that we must curb unconstitutional spending to avoid bankrupting the nation. Or explaining that eliminating such spending would lead to unprecedented national prosperity and even improved opportunity for the recipients of “unconstitutional” government welfare? The real problem — unconstitutional government is not mentioned. If the federal government were limited by the Constitution, in normal times there would be no serious problem with deficits (and at current tax levels, there would be surpluses to begin retiring the national debt).