That is the amount Democrats want to increase the debt limit:
Senate Democrats on Wednesday proposed allowing the federal government to borrow an additional $1.9 trillion to pay its bills, a record increase that would permit the national debt to reach $14.3 trillion.
The unpopular legislation is needed to allow the federal government to issue bonds to fund programs and prevent a first-time default on obligations. It promises to be a challenging debate for Democrats, who, as the party in power, hold the responsibility for passing the legislation.
It’s hardly the debate Democrats want or need in the wake of Sen.-elect Scott Brown’s victory in Massachusetts. Arguing over the debt limit provides a forum for Republicans to blame Democrats for rising deficits and spiraling debt, even though responsibility for the government’s financial straits can be shared by both political parties.
Indeed, it can – but, Democrats, it is you who are in charge. Here’s the thing: if you have a bit of courage, you can actually freeze spending at current levels (better if you could actually do a 10%, across-the-board cut) and thus allow this pill to be swallowed a bit easier…but, I know you won’t.
Why won’t you? Because you’re just incapable of thinking of government in terms other than spending money. Its what you do. Its all you know. Its killing the country and you just can’t think of anything else to do.
Ah, well, you’ll pay the proper price for this.