Corker Debt Fight Will Be 'Raucous'

The Hill reports:

The coming fight in Congress over raising the debt ceiling will make the clash over funding the government look "powderpuff," according to one GOP senator.

Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) said Wednesday he will not vote to increase the federal government's borrowing limit unless serious cuts in spending are included as part of a deal.

"I would say this is going to be a pretty raucous 60 days. It's going to make last week look powderpuff, because the stakes here are so high compared to what we were talking about last week," Corker said, referring to the bill passed last week that avoided a government shutdown.

"Most people want to see that dramatic changes are taking place," Corker said of government spending.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has warned that not raising the debt ceiling would be "catastrophic" for the U.S. economy. If the borrowing limit is not raised, the U.S. could default on its debt.

Corker, who is a fiscal conservative, said he will not vote to raise the debt ceiling unless significant cuts to federal spending are included.

"I have found that it's irresponsible not to be responsible prior to a debt ceiling increase," Corker said Wednesday during an appearance on CNBC's Squawk Box. "If we don't have something that dramatically changes spending in this country and gets it in line, I will not vote for a debt ceiling increase."