Before Trump sided with Democrats on the debt limit, the debate was 'deadlocked'

(Image credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

published 6 September 2017

President Trump stunned Republican leaders Wednesday by siding with Democrats during a conversation about linking Hurricane Harvey relief to a three-month debt limit increase. Trump didn't just side with Democrats, though — he reportedly broke a stalemate when congressional leaders were "ready to disagree," Business Insider writes:

According to a source briefed on the meeting, the leaders were deadlocked over the length of the debt ceiling extension. [...]As the leaders appeared ready to agree to disagree, the source said, Trump interjected and said the group should go with a three-month debt ceiling raise and a three-month continuing resolution.Republicans would have preferred a longer extension to avoid another fight in December. Democrats could use the opportunity as leverage to attach a provision aimed at codifying into law the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals immigration program, which the Trump administration said Tuesday would be phased out over the next six months. [Business Insider]

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.