COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — It used to be routine: Congress passed legislation to allow the Treasury Department to borrow money to pay the nation’s bills. But now it’s mired in politics. Ohio’s two US Senators are blaming each other’s party for the possibility of a default.
Both senators were in Central Ohio Thursday. JD Vance, the Republican junior senator, toured Rickenbacker Air Base but spoke about the debt ceiling standoff. He said cuts being demanded by Republicans are necessary.
“What House Republicans have offered is pretty common sense stuff,” Vance said. “They've said, ‘Look, if you want us to raise the debt ceiling, then we should get some common sense concessions on long-term spending.’”
Sherrod Brown, the Democrat, claimed Republican cuts would hurt millions.
“If they have their way we're going to see cuts in the Veterans Administration, we're going to see cuts in all kinds of programs that serve seniors, including Meals on Wheels, we're going to see Social Security checks go out late,” he said.
Ultimately, Brown anticipates a default will be avoided.
“I don't think we will (default) but I think that some cooler heads have to prevail,” he said.