Durbin: Republicans afraid of primary challenges over debt vote

{mosads}Durbin’s comments came a day after President Obama addressed the nation about the debt-ceiling negotiations as the Aug. 2 deadline to avoid a federal default looms.

In his address, Obama charged House Republicans with refusing to agree to a deficit-reduction and debt-ceiling deal that is “a balanced approach” to solving the crisis. Democrats have voiced frustration with Republicans for refusing to agree to a deal regardless of what Democrats are offering.

On Monday, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) unveiled an alternative debt-ceiling increase proposal that was quickly rejected by Democrats and drew skepticism from some Republicans. Boehner’s plan proposes a two-step approach, first raising the debt ceiling by $900 billion then establishing a commission to find $3 trillion more in deficit reduction. The plan would likely involve a second vote to raise the debt ceiling near the 2012 presidential elections.

Also on Monday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) unveiled a rival plan with $2.7 trillion in budget savings that lifts the debt ceiling through 2012, a condition Obama and many Democrats have been advocating.

Republicans have charged that Obama’s preference for a larger deficit-reduction and debt-ceiling increase deal is motivated by his desire to avoid a vote to raise the limit that occurs during his reelection campaign. Democrats argue that a smaller deal like Boehner’s would not sufficiently fix the economy.

The new House and Senate plans are the latest in ongoing negotiations between Republicans and Democrats over raising the debt ceiling where both sides have voiced frustration that their counterparts are stubbornly refusing to agree to reasonable proposals on reducing the deficit and raising the debt limit.

Watch Durbin below.