that both chambers of the congress pass a budget in that time to clear the way for negotiations on long-term deficit reduction, to add muscle to the efforts to bring democrats to the table, they would include a provision in the debt ceiling legislation saying that lawmakers will not be paid if they do not pass a budget blueprint. was it right to step back from challenging the president over raising the debt ceiling? well, i think the house proposal is a step in the right direction. no doubt the senate hasn t done it s job. it s been nearly four years since it s passed a budget. but it doesn t go nearly far enough. we have a crisis. i just got back last week from afghanistan. and i had multiple servicemen and women clasp me on the arm and say, please do something about the debt and deficit. we re bankrupting the country. that s what the american people are looking for. and to date, politicians have both parties have been unwilling to take even a tiny step in the right direction. we ve