Debt Debate Splits Minnesota’s Lawmakers in Congress

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota's congressional delegation is split over how to avoid a potential U.S. debt default.

Republican Rep. Chip Cravaack is among the conservative freshmen who helped derail a House debt-ceiling proposal over concerns it didn't cut spending aggressively enough.

Fellow Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann is leading opposition to a debt limit increase from the presidential campaign trail, while GOP Reps. John Kline and Erik Paulsen are backing an increase in the debt limit tied to spending cuts.

Democrats including Sen. Amy Klobuchar are pushing for a longer-lasting hike in federal borrowing authority to avoid another political standoff before the 2012 presidential election.

Her D-F-L colleagues are warning of the consequences if the U.S. can't pay all its bills after Tuesday.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)