Trump picks fight over debt ceiling

BECAUSE FELLOW REPUBLICANS IGNORED ADVICE If not raised, it could harm the US economy and possibly trigger a recession.

President Donald Trump picked a new fight on Thursday with his fellow Republicans, saying congressional leaders could have avoided a “mess” over raising the US debt ceiling if they had taken his advice.

In the latest in a stream of criticisms that could undermine his aims to cut taxes, pass a budget and rebuild infrastructure, Trump sought to blame party leaders if Congress fails to agree to raise the cap on how much the federal government may borrow.

The treasury department has said the ceiling must be raised by September 29.

If not, the government would be unable to borrow more money or pay its bills, including its debt payments. That could hurt the United States’ credit rating, cause financial turmoil, harm the US economy and possibly trigger a recession.

Trump said he had advised Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan to link a passage of legislation raising the debt ceiling to a bill on veterans affairs that he signed into law on August 12.

“They didn’t do it so now we have a big deal with Dems holding them up (as usual) on Debt Ceiling approval. Could have been so easy – now a mess!” Trump tweeted.

Trump’s relationship with McConnell has deteriorated amid repeated attacks by Trump on the Republican Senate majority leader. –