Blue Dog Cooper to oppose Boehner debt bill

{mosads}Cooper was one of five Blue Dog Democrats who voted in favor of the GOP’s “cut, cap and balance” legislation earlier this month. Two others — Reps. Jim Matheson (Utah) and Heath Shuler (N.C.) — have also announced their opposition to the GOP debt bill.

Rep. Dan Boren (Okla.) is not backing the Speaker’s plan either. He told the Tulsa World that “Boehner’s plan does not make the necessary changes to address the country’s fiscal problems.”

Rep. Mike McIntyre (N.C.) has not announced his intentions.

Sponsored by House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), the Republicans’ bill would slash $917 billion in deficit spending and hike the debt limit by $900 billion — a figure empowering federal spending until early next year but requiring lawmakers to return to the issue before the 2012 elections.

Democrats in both chambers have rejected the short-term approach, instead urging a debt-limit extension through the end of 2012.

Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), the House Democratic whip, indicated Thursday that Democratic opposition to the Boehner bill would be unanimous.

The House vote, initially scheduled for around 6 p.m. Thursday, has been delayed while GOP leaders continue their hunt for support.