This week: All eyes on Ryan as debt fight looms

All eyes will be on Rep. Paul Ryan as Congress comes back to Washington after a week-long break.

The Wisconsin Republican remained tight lipped over the Columbus Day recess despite intense pressure from both inside and outside of the Capitol to throw his hat into the ring to replace outgoing Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio).

{mosads}Backers of a Ryan bid argue that he has the best shot to unite House Republicans and get them through an upcoming series of fights including negotiating a long-term budget and raising the debt ceiling.

Conservative Republicans have dismissed any notion that the Ways and Means chairman would be a shoo-in, with Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.), a founding member of the House Freedom Caucus, saying during a radio interview that “you don’t just win because you’re Paul Ryan.”

But speculation around a Ryan bid has continued to grow, even though he’s repeatedly said he’s not interested in the top spot and his colleagues say it’s 50-50 that he’ll jump in.

If he passes, the race for Speaker likely becomes a free for all, with Reps. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), Daniel Webster (R-Fla.) both making bids. Meanwhile at least four Texas lawmakers, including House Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul—have suggested they are interested.

Debt ceiling

Amid the ongoing GOP drama, Congress has just 10 legislative days to raise the debt ceiling.

Pressure is building on Republicans to find a way to bring up legislation by the Nov. 3 deadline, which would allow the U.S. government to meet its financial obligations and avoid potentially rolling the global stock markets.

Boehner has suggested he is willing to help clear the deck of any outstanding policy fights before stepping down as Speaker, which could include trying to raise the debt ceiling.

The White House says that it won’t negotiate on an increase, but any push to bring up a “clean” bill could face a revolt by conservative lawmakers, who are already questioning if Boehner should be their party’s negotiator in separate budget talks.

Democrats are seizing on the Republican discord in attempt to build pressure to bring up the “clean” bill. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said that Republicans “should bring forward a clean bill to honor the full faith and credit of the United States immediately.”

Her comments follow similar remarks by Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who pointed to the “utter chaos” in the race to replace Boehner.

Sanctuary cities

The Senate is turning to a bill to crackdown on so-called sanctuary cities, which don’t comply with federal immigration law.

But legislation from Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) would limit federal funding and also increase the amount of jail time an undocumented immigrant could serve if they reenter the United States after previously being deported.

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pressured lawmakers to consider the merits of the bill over the break, but he’ll need 60 votes to overcome an initial procedural hurdle. If he can get the support of every Republican he would need six Democrats to back taking up the legislation.

But Vitter’s proposal has raised concern among western-state Republicans, including Sens. Jeff Flake (Ariz.) and Mike Lee (Utah), who have voiced concerns about broadly creating mandatory minimum punishments for undocumented immigrants. While both senators have pledged to back taking up the legislation, they remain tightlipped on whether they will support it on final passage.

Monday

The Senate will convene at 4 p.m., with no votes expected during Monday’s session.

Tuesday

The Senate will vote on Ann Donnelly’s nomination to be U.S. district judge for the Eastern District of New York at 11 a.m.

They will likely recess from 12:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. for weekly party lunches, before taking a procedural vote on Vitter’s legislation.

Meanwhile, the House is expected to vote on a handful of non-controversial bills under suspension of the rules at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday

The House is expected to take up legislation that supporters argue would allow the country to avoid defaulting on its debt even if lawmakers aren’t able to vote to raise the debt ceiling.

Democrats, however, have voiced concerns about the bill, arguing that it would require the Treasury Department to prioritize making payments to foreign countries above payments to Americans including Social Security or Medicaid.