On Wednesday, House Republicans approved a measure to reject an extension of the debt ceiling. But thanks to the debt ceiling deal from last summer, the vote is largely symbolic. South Carolina Rep. Mick Mulvaney says today’s gesture doesn’t give him much solace because Republicans “gave up” on the debt ceiling battle last summer and essentially handed President Obama a free pass on the current $1.2 trillion extension request. Mulvaney further explains why he believes the only real solution to the crisis was to reject any debt ceiling increases last year. He also addresses critics who say his approach would have devastated the U.S. credit rating.
