Re-elected Fattah Takes Oath, Introduces Debt-Ceiling Bill

Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-2nd) was sworn in Thursday to his 10th term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Fattah also announced the introduction of a bill: the Ending Fiscal Cliffs Act of 2013.

From Fattah's announcement:

The legislation streamlines the process of raising the debt ceiling – which Congress could face within two months—to avoid paralyzing political maneuvers.

Under the current system, Congress authorizes Federal spending, then must grant redundant approval to borrow sufficient funds to cover the spending it has already approved. Fattah’s bill restructures the process to make it more efficient. It allows the Administration to raise the debt ceiling, as necessary, in order to avoid default whenever Congress spends money or reduces revenues.

Copies of Fattah's bill announcement and his statement on Friday's federal jobs report are attached to this article.