GOP leaders are struggling to find 10 votes to break filibuster on debt ceiling hike

Republican leaders are struggling to convince 10 Republicans to vote for a short-term increase in the debt ceiling, a dilemma they find themselves in after months of saying the Democrats should increase it themselves.

GOP senators emerged from a closed conference in the U.S. Capitol and refused to vote for the debt ceiling.

Over closed-door lunch, GOP leaders tried to convince all of their members to forego a procedural vote on the measure – something that would require 10 Republicans to join all 50 Democrats in order to move forward – and instead go straight to one to agree to a final vote on the measure, which could be a majority decision with only democratic votes.

Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, said the problem remained “unsolved” and that leaders would continue their “due diligence” to recruit these members and that work would continue this afternoon.

“I think most of us would like to get out of here. We know what the outcome will be, so why should you put everyone through the delay and inconvenience in believing us to be an inevitable outcome here, ”said Cornyn.

Senator Mike Rounds, a Republican from South Dakota, said GOP senators could huddle back together later Thursday to try to resolve their differences.

Cornyn admitted that its members are so dissatisfied that they will have to vote to raise the debt ceiling – which McConnell had repeatedly said that the Democrats would do alone – chances are the Republicans might not be able to provide the 10 required votes.

“It’s a possibility that is not a good one,” said Cornyn, who would not undertake to vote for it himself.

Senator Ron Johnson speaks to reporters in the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, October 7. Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images

Senator Ron Johnson, a Republican from Wisconsin, said he would vote against raising the debt ceiling but said he preferred to let the Democrats vote alone.

“I won’t make this any easier. I will not disagree. I hope no Republicans object. Just let the Democrats do what they have to, ”Johnson said.

Further details about the GOP meeting: Over lunch, according to Senators in attendance, McConnell told his caucus members that passing the increase was important to prevent a default and that the deal they made for a short-term extension would require Democrats to long-term extension itself to be adopted in December using the budget comparison.

The deal also requires Democrats to vote for a certain value of the debt ceiling, not just a suspension, a key Republican demand, McConnell told his members.

As he walked out of the meeting, McConnell said, “Of course I hope not,” when asked by a reporter whether the Senate is likely to meet on Saturday to work on the bill.

McConnell declined to answer when asked if the GOP could raise the 10 votes if necessary.

Retired Senator Richard Shelby of Alabama, the top GOP appropriator, said he would vote to “keep the government going” and expected other GOP leaders to vote in favor.