Nashville Democrat Trumpets Silver Lining To Debt Limit Bill

Official House portrait of Rep. Jim Cooper

Nashville Congressman Jim Cooper is claiming victory today for an amendment that passed the House—even though it was attached to a bill he himself voted against.

The overall measure essentially lessens the likelihood of a federal government default in the event it pushes past the debt limit. That vote split neatly along party lines-Republicans voting yes, Democrats, including Cooper, saying no.

But an amendment, based on a separate bill Cooper introduced earlier this year, was overwhelmingly approved on both sides of the aisle. It says that if the nation’s debt rises above that limit, members of Congress won’t draw a paycheck.