It's A Trap.

This is the bill (pdf) that is going to trap all the TEA under a trigger.

By allowing a fiscal commission, it removes the power of the House (and the effective bully pulpit of the House’s majority led by TEA) and equalizes it to Democrats.

I mean, really, Tea Party Patriots were looking to Chris Cizzilla for “winners and losers” last night. That’s how schooled the TEA may be after these votes.

Read the bill, and note the changes are nothing in-line with what you’re expecting, and the net reductions really go into effect after 2015 or so, or even later by some definitions of “additional new budget authority”.

And scroll down to the “$900 Billion part”. Page 31, S 3101a. Presidential Modification of the Debt Ceiling. Lots of triggers there, but most of which all go towards the Executive Branch to control the debt limit, and offer legal backing to the 14th Amendment argument, now codified.

It allows the President to basically flex the debt limit (and this doesn’t impede on Treasury’s extraordinary league of accountants) and be able to push the envelope further.

Sure, it may limit how much of the limit he may authorize, but it places the purse in the President’s hands, at least in the light of a law about debt limits…

So really, before you think this was a victory for anyone, read the bill that is about to be passed. After all it’s about to be passed without much reading anyways, isn’t it?

The real fight is the appointment of 3 each from House and Senate, the fantasy league of politicians.

If Speaker Boehner gets TEA on the committee, he had better go all-in, and appoint only TEA to the committees. That’s what a smart coach would do, because the outcome will be beneficial for all conservatives in any compromise.

And before conservatives think President Obama caved, look at the facts: Democrats got equalization in one single bill. The 60-vote rule in the Senate, gone. The Republicans with their massive House edge, gone.

Also, not much cognizant thinking this close to August 3rd. Republicans are being forced to pass this deal. The 60 votes have to come from Republicans, and 218 from Republicans as well. Democrats are now shielded from having to vote for it. The President is authorized quite a bit of flexibility with the debt ceiling, something he as well can veto, and still get more from.

It’s a trap! Mako out.