Rep. Jackson-Lee plays race card in debt ceiling debate

Washington – It was bound to happen.

In floor debate about the debt ceiling, Houston's Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee raised racial questions about why conservatives are reluctant to reach an agreement.

Representative Lee is black.

Referring to difficulties in making an arrangement to pay the nation's bills after the August 2 deadline in which Treasury debt will go into default, she called the ongoing debate filled with “maligning and maliciousness.”

“Read between the lines. What is different about this President that should put him in a position that he should not receive the same kind of respectful treatment of when it is necessary to raise the debt limit in order to pay our bills...,” the Representative asked.

“Why this President? Only this President?”

The nation's debt limit has been raised 60 times, she added.