House To Vote On Combination Debt Limit, Budget Mandate Bill

The U.S. House is slated to vote today on a Republican proposal to temporarily extend the nation's debt ceiling and the legislation is putting the region's Democrats in a tight spot.

Republicans want to extend the nation's borrowing limit for three months in exchange for forcing Senate Democrats to release and pass a budget blueprint annually. If there's no budget, House leaders want lawmakers to temporarily forego their pay.

Freshman Rep. John Delaney (D-Md.) hasn't decided how he'll vote. He says businesses need a long-term solution to the nation s debt problems.

"So a three month debt ceiling extension is not productive as it relates to that, but it is better than the alternative which is tripping the debt ceiling," Delaney says.

f the debt ceiling isn't extended, both Virginia and Maryland risk a credit rating downgrade. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) says he's glad House leaders are offering the extension with no spending cuts attached.

"I think it's encouraging that Republicans agree that the debt ceiling shouldn't be leverage on the debate," Cardin says.

Even if Senate Democrats accept the House legislation, lawmakers will have to revisit the debt ceiling debate again in May.