2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Increasing The Federal Debt Limit By
$2.5 Trillion. In December 2021, Fitzpatrick voted against the
resolution which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "increase
the statutory limit on federal debt by $2.5 trillion." The vote was on
passage. The House passed the joint resolution by a vote of 221-209,
sent to the President, and ultimately became law. [House Vote 449,
12/15/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/15/21;
Congressional Actions, S.J.Res.
33]
According To Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Congress Will
Not Have To Raise The Debt Limit Again Until 2023. According to
CBS News, "The resolution introduced in the Senate on Tuesday to
raise the debt limit by $2.5 trillion passed along party lines, 50
to 49. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said this would mean
Congress won't have to fight about raising the debt limit again
until 2023 --- beyond the midterm elections." [CBS News,
12/15/21]
The House Voted To Raise The Debt Limit Close To The Deadline
Before The U.S. Government Would Not Be Able To Pay Its Bills And
Cause An Economic Catastrophe. According to CBS News, "The vote to
raise the debt ceiling comes just one day before the U.S. could stop
being able to pay its bills. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said
she was confident the Treasury could pay the bills through December
15, but there are scenarios where the government would not be able
to pay some bills after that point. If the government were to
default, she has said it would be catastrophic for the economy and
would 'eviscerate' the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic."
[CBS News,
12/15/21]
Congress Expedited The Joint Resolution Through A "Temporary
One-Time Process" That Allowed The Limit Increase By A Specific
Amount And With A Simple Majority. According to CNN, "Congress
passed legislation last week to create a fast-track process to allow
Democrats to raise the debt limit in the Senate without help from
Republicans. [...] The newly created and temporary one-time
process that lawmakers approved allowed Senate Democrats to take up
and pass a bill to increase the debt limit by a specific dollar
amount and a simple majority vote." [CNN,
12/15/21]
The Limit Increase Would Be Sufficient To Ensure Congress Does Not
Need To Raise It Again Until After The 2022 Elections. According
to CNN, "It had been expected that Democrats would raise the limit
by an amount sufficient to ensure that the issue will not need to be
addressed again until after the 2022 midterm elections." [CNN,
12/15/21]
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen Warned That An Economic Recession
Would Be Triggered If The U.S. Would Not Be Able To Pay Its Debts
And Bills. According to CNBC, "Yellen estimated the U.S. would run
out of ways to pay its debt on Dec. 15. If Congress does not raise
the debt ceiling before the Treasury misses a payment, the country
would default for the first time. The Treasury secretary said she
expects the U.S. would slip into a recession if Washington failed to
make its debt payments." [CNBC,
12/14/21]
Increasing The Debt Limit Would Not Authorize New Spending, But It
Would Increase The Borrowing Limit And Permit The Treasury
Department To Pay The U.S.'s Bills. According to CNBC, "Raising
the debt limit does not authorize new government spending. Instead,
it's akin to an increase in a consumer's credit card borrowing limit
and allows the Treasury Department to continue to pay off the
nation's bills." [CNBC,
12/14/21]
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen Noted That Congress Would Have Had
To Increase Or Suspend The Debt Limit Even If No Legislation Would
Have Passed In 2021. According to CNBC, "Yellen often notes that
Republicans and Democrats would have had to raise or suspend the
debt limit even if Congress had passed zero legislation in 2021."
[CNBC,
12/14/21]
Republicans Opposed Helping Democrats Address The Debt Limit
Because Of The Reconciliation Process Democrats Used For Legislation
In 2021, Including The $1.75 Trillion Social Safety Net And Climate
Package. According to CNBC, "Democrats and Republicans typically
vote together to raise or suspend the debt ceiling. This time,
however, the GOP has contended Democrats should increase the
borrowing limit on their own as they try to pass a $1.75 trillion
social safety net and climate package despite Republican
opposition." [CNBC,
12/14/21]
The One-Time Exception To Expedite The Debt Limit Increase Allowed
Democrats To Pass The Resolution On Their Own, And Republicans
Wanted To Withhold Their Support So They Could Hold The Vote Against
Democrats In The Midterm Elections. According to Vox, "it enabled
Democrats to approve the debt limit resolution on their own, with no
Republican support. Republicans wanted to withhold their votes in
hopes of weaponizing Democrats' vote to raise the debt ceiling in
future campaigns." [Vox,
12/14/21]
The One-Time Exception Process To Expedite The Debt Limit Increase
Raised Questions On Whether Democrats Would Consider Using The
Process For Top Priority Legislation That Republicans Vehemently
Oppose, Like Voting Rights, Police Reform And Raising The Minimum
Wage. According to Vox, "The debt ceiling vote has opened the door
to questions of whether Democrats would consider filibuster
exceptions for other bills, like voting rights protections.
Activists, and some Democratic lawmakers, have called for this in
recent months amid failures to advance voting rights protections,
police reform, and a $15 minimum wage due to GOP opposition in the
Senate. But a filibuster exemption for policy changes is likely to
be difficult to secure." [Vox,
12/14/21]
The Joint Resolution Increased The Debt Limit To Almost $31
Trillion. According to Politico, "The House passed a measure late
Tuesday night to raise the debt limit to nearly $31 trillion,
sending the legislation to President Joe Biden in time to prevent an
economically devastating default." [Politico,
12/14/21]
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell Blamed Democrats For
Raising The Debt Limit And Said It Would "Just Be The Beginning" If
They Continue To Pass Spending Packages. According to Politico,
"'Washington Democrats' printing, borrowing and spending addiction
is directly hurting American families,' McConnell said on the floor
Tuesday. 'If they jam through another reckless taxing-and-spending
spree, this massive debt increase will just be the beginning.' The
Kentucky Republican pinned responsibility for raising the country's
borrowing limit on his counterparts across the aisle." [Politico,
12/14/21]
2021: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against Increasing The Debt
Limit. In December 2021, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted against the "adoption of the rule (H Res 852) that
would provide for House floor consideration of the resolution to
increase the debt limit (S J Res 33). The rule would provide for up to
one hour of debate on the bill." The vote was on the adoption of the
rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote of 220-212. [House Vote 446,
12/14/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/14/21;
Congressional Actions, S.J.Res.
33;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
852]
2021: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against Increasing The Debt
Limit. In December 2021, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted against the "motion to order the previous question
(thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res
852) that would provide for House floor consideration of the resolution
to increase the debt limit (S J Res 33). The rule would provide for up
to one hour of debate on the bill." The vote was on a motion to order
the previous question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of
220-212. [House Vote 445,
12/14/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/14/21;
Congressional Actions, S.J.Res.
33;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
852]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Advancing Senate Consideration Of A
Joint Resolution That Would Increase The Debt Limit. In December 2021,
Fitzpatrick voted against the Protecting Medicare and American Farmers
from Sequester Cuts Act which would, according to Congressional
Quarterly, "establish procedures to expedite Senate consideration of a
joint resolution to increase the debt limit by a specific dollar amount.
Specifically, it would provide for a non-debatable motion to proceed to
the joint resolution and, if the motion is agreed to, up to 10 hours of
debate on the measure with no amendments or other motions in order,
immediately followed by a vote on passage. Such procedures would be
valid for consideration of one joint resolution by Jan. 16, 2022." The
vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 222-212,
sent to the Senate and President, and ultimately became law. [House
Vote 404, 12/7/21;
Congressional Quarterly,
12/7/21; Congressional Actions,
S.
610]
Legislators Paired The Bill With A "One-Time Change In The Senate
Rules" To Permit A Debt Limit Increase Without Needing Republican
Votes To Overcome A Filibuster. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "It's an age-old Washington trick for must-pass
legislation that requires bipartisan support: Pair the thing the
minority hates with something they support and hope they feel the
good outweighs the bad. In this week's case the pairing (S 610) was
a one-time change in the Senate rules that would allow Democrats to
increase the debt ceiling without needing GOP votes to overcome a
filibuster and provisions to stave off scheduled cuts to Medicare
providers, lab services and physician reimbursements."
[Congressional Quarterly,
12/10/21]
Republicans Who Opposed The Bill Did Not Want To Be Perceived As
"Facilitating A Debt Limit Increase" After They Pledged To Not Raise
The Limit When Democrats Could Have Used The Budget Reconciliation
Process. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The Republicans
who voted against the bill did not want to be seen as facilitating a
debt limit increase, especially after they vowed not to help
Democrats raise the borrowing limit since the majority could do it
on their own through the budget reconciliation process."
[Congressional Quarterly,
12/10/21]
By Expediting The Consideration Of The Debt Limit Increase, The
Senate Would Be Effectively Ending Weeks Of Debate On How To Raise
The Debt Limit. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Passage of
the fast-track process legislation (S 610) effectively ends weeks of
partisan brinkmanship over how to raise the statutory debt limit.
Without congressional relief, the government may be unable to meet
all its financial obligations after Dec. 15, Treasury Secretary
Janet L. Yellen has warned." [Congressional Quarterly,
12/10/21]
According To Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen, The Government
Would Be Unable To Pay For Its Expenses After December 15, 2021
Without Congressional Action. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "Without congressional relief, the government may be
unable to meet all its financial obligations after Dec. 15, Treasury
Secretary Janet L. Yellen has warned." [Congressional Quarterly,
12/10/21]
Republican Leadership Considered The Expedited Debt Limit Increase
A Victory Because It Would Lead To Democrats Raising The Ceiling On
Their Own, In Which They Would Need To Raise The Limit By A Certain
Amount Instead Of Suspending It For A Period Of Time. According to
The Hill, "GOP leadership views the deal as a win because it sets up
a vote where Democrats will raise the debt ceiling on their own,
includes a fast-track process and requires that Democrats raise the
debt limit to a specific number rather than suspending it to a
date." [The Hill,
12/9/21]
Republicans Will Not Need To Vote On The Actual Debt Limit
Increase, But Democrats Would Still Be Able To Attribute The Passage
To Bipartisanship And Without Risking The Fate Of The Debt Limit To
A GOP Filibuster. According to The Washington Post, "Both sides
consequently embraced the new arrangement as a political victory.
Republicans won't have to vote again on an actual, numerical
increase to the debt ceiling, and Democrats can say they did so
after some measure of bipartisanship and without risk of GOP
obstruction. The fast-track procedure guarantees a vote on the
increase set at a simple majority, with no opportunity for a
filibuster." [The Washington Post,
12/9/21]
2021: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against Expediting Senate
Consideration Of Increasing The Debt Limit. In December 2021,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against the
"adoption of the rule (H Res 838) that would provide for floor
consideration of a legislative vehicle for the fiscal 2022 defense
authorization bill (S 1605), a legislative vehicle for a bill (S 610) to
prevent sequestration cuts to Medicare and expedite Senate consideration
of a debt limit increase [...] The rule would provide for up to one
hour of general debate on each bill." The vote was on the adoption of
the rule. The House adopted the rule of 219-213. [House Vote 403,
12/7/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/7/21;
Congressional Actions, S.
610;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
838]
2021: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against Expediting Senate
Consideration Of Increasing The Debt Limit. In December 2021,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against the
"motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and
possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res 838) that would provide for
floor consideration of a legislative vehicle for the fiscal 2022 defense
authorization bill (S 1605), a legislative vehicle for a bill (S 610) to
prevent sequestration cuts to Medicare and expedite Senate consideration
of a debt limit increase [...] The rule would provide for up to one
hour of general debate on each bill." The vote was on a motion to order
the previous question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of
218-210. [House Vote 402,
12/7/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/7/21;
Congressional Actions, S.
610;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
838]
2021: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against Raising The Debt Limit By
$480 Billion. In October 2021, according to Congressional Quarterly,
when considering the adoption of a resolution, Fitzpatrick effectively
voted against the "automatic agreement to a motion to concur in the
Senate amendment to the House amendment to the bill (S 1301) that would
increase the statutory limit on federal debt by $480 billion." The vote
was on the adoption of a resolution and a motion to concur. The House
adopted the resolution, thus concurring with the Senate, by a vote of
219-206, and sent S. 1301 to the President and ultimately became law.
[House Vote 315,
10/12/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 10/12/21;
Congressional Actions, S.
1301;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
716]
By Increasing The Debt Limit $480 Billion, The Government Would
Be Able To Pay All Its Bills Through December 3, 2021, But Without A
Debt Limit Increase, The Treasury Could Run Out Of Money.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "The vote to increase the
statutory debt limit by $480 billion would allow the government to
pay all its bills through Dec. 3, lawmakers have said. Without any
action by Congress, the Treasury would run out of enough cash to
meet its obligations beginning Monday, Secretary Janet L. Yellen has
warned." [Congressional Quarterly,
10/12/21]
The Passage Of The Increase Only Spared A Couple Days Before The
October 18, 2021 Deadline, In Which No Action Would Have Left The
National Government Unable To Pay For Social Security Benefits, To
Provide Tax Support To Families With Kids, Or To Offer Support To
Troops And Veterans. According to The Washington Post, "Once
adopted, it would head off a financial crisis with only days to
spare ahead of the original Oct. 18 deadline. Failing to raise the
debt ceiling by that date would have left the U.S. government unable
to fulfill its financial obligations --- including paying Social
Security benefits to seniors, providing tax aid to families with
children, or offering pay and other assistance to troops and
veterans." [The Washington Post,
10/7/21]
By Increasing The Debt Ceiling Temporarily, Congress Would Be
Undergoing Another Deadline To Increase The Debt Limit By December
3, On Which Funding Would Expire For Key Federal Agencies And
Programs. According to The Washington Post, "But the short-term
deal also threatens to defer a bigger, more vicious battle between
Democrats and Republicans until the final days of the year. The
debt-ceiling increase covers federal borrowing only until about Dec.
3, the same day that funding for key federal agencies and programs
is set to expire. That means Congress faces yet another deadline to
stave off default and prevent a government shutdown, two urgent
tasks that carry significant political and economic consequences in
the case of failure." [The Washington Post,
10/7/21]
McConnell And Republicans Continued To Push For Democrats To
Address The Debt Limit Through The Debt Reconciliation Process Since
They Are Using The Process For Their Build Back Better Plan, Which
Would Include Initiatives For Climate Change, Paid Family Leave, And
Education. According to Roll Call, "McConnell remains adamant that
Democrats must address the debt limit through the budget
reconciliation process they are using to advance much of their
domestic agenda, including climate change, paid family leave and
education initiatives." [Roll Call,
10/7/21]
By Adopting A Rule For Floor Consideration That Automatically
Adopted The Debt Limit Increase, The House Sent The Legislation To
President Biden's Desk, Which Would Increase The Treasury's
Borrowing Limit To $28.9 Trillion. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "On a strictly party-line vote of 219-206, House
Democrats adopted a rule for floor debate (H Res 716) on unrelated
legislation that "deemed" the Senate-passed debt limit bill
(S 1301) as having cleared that chamber. That maneuver sent the
bill, which would increase the Treasury Department's borrowing
authority by $480 billion to nearly $28.9 trillion, to President
Joe Biden for his signature, which is expected this week."
[Congressional Quarterly,
10/13/21]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted For The Fiscal Responsibility Act Of 2023,
Which Was The Bipartisan Debt Limit Package That Suspended The Federal
Debt Limit Through January 1, 2025. In May 2023, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the Fiscal Responsibility
Act of 2023, which would, in part, "suspend the statutory limit on
federal debt through Jan. 1, 2025." The vote was on passage. The House
passed the bill by a vote of 314 to 117, thus the bill was sent to the
Senate. The Senate passed the bill, sent it to President Biden, and it
was signed into law. [House Vote 243,
5/31/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/31/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3746]
The Bipartisan Package Prevented A Financial Crisis Before
Borrowing Authority Would Have Expired. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "The House passed a bill Wednesday night to suspend the
debt limit past the 2024 elections, sending to the Senate a
bipartisan package designed to avert a financial crisis when
borrowing authority runs out next week." [Congressional Quarterly,
5/31/23]
The Bipartisan Package Coupled The Debt Limit Relief With
Discretionary Spending Caps. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"On a bipartisan 314-117 vote, the House endorsed legislation
negotiated by Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and President Joe
Biden that would couple debt limit relief with caps on discretionary
spending that Republicans said would serve as a down payment on
deficit reduction efforts." [Congressional Quarterly,
5/31/23]
Far-Right Republicans Opposed The Package Because It Included A
Fraction Of The Deficit Reduction Proposed By The GOP Debt Limit
Package. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Hard-line
conservatives opposed the bill because it contains just a fraction
of the deficit reduction that would have been required under the
earlier House GOP debt limit bill." [Congressional Quarterly,
5/31/23]
Left-Leaning Democrats Opposed The Package Due To Work Requirement
Expansions For Welfare Programs And Changes To The Permitting
Process For Federal Projects. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "Left-leaning House Democrats opposed the bill over its
expansion of work requirements for welfare programs and
modifications made to the environmental review process for federal
projects, among other complaints." [Congressional Quarterly,
5/31/23]
The Package Suspended The Limit Past The November 2024 Elections
Until January 1, 2025. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The
bill would suspend the debt limit until Jan. 1, 2025, pushing it
past the November 2024 elections." [Congressional Quarterly,
5/31/23]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The Fiscal Responsibility Act
Of 2023, Which Was The Bipartisan Debt Limit Package. In May 2023,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the
"adoption of the rule (H Res 456) that would provide for floor
consideration of the bipartisan debt limit bill (HR 3746). The rule
would provide for up to one hour of general debate on HR 3746 and
automatic adoption of the Smith, R-Mo., manager's amendment to the bill
that would make minor technical changes." The vote was on the adoption
of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote of 241 to 187. [House
Vote 241, 5/31/23;
Congressional Quarterly,
5/31/23; Congressional
Actions, H.Res.
456;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3746]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted For The Limit, Save, Grow Act Of 2023, Which
Was The GOP Debt Limit Package That Sought To Suspend The Federal Debt
Limit Through March 14, 2024 Or Until An Additional $1.5 Trillion. In
April 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for
the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023, which would "suspend the statutory
limit on federal debt through March 31, 2024, or until an additional
$1.5 trillion has been borrowed --- whichever occurs first." The vote
was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 217 to 215, thus
the bill was sent to the Senate. [House Vote 199,
4/26/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 4/26/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2811]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The Limit, Save, Grow Act Of
2023, Which Was The GOP Debt Limit Package. In April 2023, according
to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against the "motion to
recommit the bill to the House Ways and Means Committee." The vote was
on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 211
to 221, thus the House voted on passage subsequently. [House Vote 198,
4/26/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 4/26/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2811]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The Limit, Save, Grow Act Of
2023, Which Was The GOP Debt Limit Package. In April 2023, according
to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the "adoption of the
rule (H Res 327) that would provide for floor consideration of the
Republican debt limit package (HR 2811). The rule would provide for up
to two hours of debate on the bill and provide for automatic adoption of
an Arrington, R-Texas, amendment." The vote was on the adoption of the
rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote of 219 to 210. [House Vote
196, 4/26/23;
Congressional Quarterly,
4/26/23; Congressional Actions,
H.Res.
327;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2811]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The Limit, Save, Grow Act Of
2023, Which Was The GOP Debt Limit Package. In April 2023, according
to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the "motion to order
the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment)
on the rule (H Res 327) that would provide for floor consideration of
the Republican debt limit package (HR 2811). The rule would provide for
up to two hours of debate on the bill and provide for automatic adoption
of an Arrington, R-Texas, amendment." The vote was on a motion to order
the previous question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 218
to 210. [House Vote 195,
4/26/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 4/26/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
327;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2811]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Suspending The Debt Limit Through
December 16th, 2022. In September 2021, Fitzpatrick voted against a
bill which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "suspend the
statutory limit on federal debt through Dec. 16, 2022." The vote was on
passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 219-212. [House Vote
310, 9/29/21;
Congressional Quarterly,
9/29/21; Congressional
Actions, S.
1301]
The Congressional Budget Office Projected That Without Suspending
the Debt Limit The Treasury Department Will Likely Run Out Of Money
In Attempt To Stay Under The Debt Ceiling By Late October Or Early
November. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The Congressional
Budget Office said Wednesday the Treasury Department would likely
exhaust its available cash and other maneuvers to remain under the
statutory debt ceiling by the end of October or early November.
That's a little later than the Oct. 18 date Treasury projected, but
the CBO cautioned that its forecast was uncertain." [Congressional
Quarterly, 9/29/21]
Senate Republicans Have Insisted That Democrats Use The
Reconciliation Process To Suspend the Debt Limit Without GOP
Support, But Some Democrats Worry There Would Not Be Enough Time
Before The Treasury Department Runs Out Of Money And May Be Limited
To Raising The Debt Limit To A Certain Amount Instead Of Suspending
It To A Later Date. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Senate
Republicans have been insisting that Democrats use the
filibuster-proof reconciliation process to raise the borrowing
ceiling without Republican help, since Democrats are trying to pass
trillions of dollars in additional spending that Republicans oppose
using the same partisan process [...] Some Democrats including
McGovern said there isn't enough time to raise the debt limit
through reconciliation before the Treasury is estimated to run out
of borrowing room around Oct. 18. They also cited parliamentary
obstacles related to the rules of the Senate but have not been
specific about what they are. Another problem for Democrats in using
reconciliation is that they might be limited to raising the debt
limit to a certain dollar amount through reconciliation, rather than
being able to suspend it until a later date as has been the practice
since 2013." [Congressional Quarterly,
9/29/21]
According To Projections, If The Treasury Department Runs Out Of
Money, They May Be Forced To Cut Spending By 40 Percent, And If The
Treasury Prioritizes Bondholder Payments, All Other Governmental
Assistance And Benefits Would Be At Risk. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "In the days and weeks after Treasury runs
out of cash and accounting tricks, they could be forced to cut
regularly scheduled spending by 40 percent, according to estimates.
If Treasury prioritizes payments to bondholders, as has been
discussed in past debt limit episodes, that means all other
government obligations are at risk --- from Social Security checks
to veterans benefits." [Congressional Quarterly,
9/29/21]