By Zayida Baker Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., voted on Tuesday, August 2, for the debt compromise put forward by President Obama and congressional leaders. It was enacted Tuesday afternoon. The Budget Control Act raises the debt ceiling in two stages by up to $2.4 trillion total, which should fund government through the 2012 elections. It…

By Zayida Baker Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Fla., bolstered his tea-party credentials Monday, August 1, standing against the debt deal struck by President Obama and congressional leaders. It became law Tuesday afternoon. The Budget Control Act raises the debt ceiling in two stages by up to $2.4 trillion total, which should fund government through the 2012…

By Zayida Baker Freshman Steve Southerland, R-Fla., has resisted Republican leadership once again. He voted July 29 against the Budget Control Act, Speaker John Boehner’s, R-Ohio, second attempt at a debt-ceiling increase. As the Obama Administration’s August 2 deadline approaches, House Republicans have offered two bills to raise the debt ceiling. Their first choice, the…