Biden broaches nuclear option in standoff with McConnell

Joe Biden indicated late Tuesday he was warming to a Democratic proposal to blow up the rules of the Senate to raise or suspend the debt ceiling, amid fears that a breach would send the U.S. government into default and the whole economy into a tailspin.

The president told reporters that a filibuster carve out to solve the current stalemate with Republicans over the debt limit before the estimated Oct. 18 deadline was a “real possibility.” It was a remark that sources inside the administration said reflected the growing belief that the party may need to take drastic steps to prevent default. It also served as a signal to Senate Democrats that the president supports their own growing conviction that a change to the chamber’s rules may be needed to head off a financial crisis.

Joe Biden indicated late Tuesday he was warming to a Democratic proposal to blow up the rules of the Senate to raise or suspend the debt ceiling, amid fears that a breach would send the U.S. government into default and the whole economy into a tailspin.

The president told reporters that a filibuster carve out to solve the current stalemate with Republicans over the debt limit before the estimated Oct. 18 deadline was a “real possibility.” It was a remark that sources inside the administration said reflected the growing belief that the party may need to take drastic steps to prevent default. It also served as a signal to Senate Democrats that the president supports their own growing conviction that a change to the chamber’s rules may be needed to head off a financial crisis.