Democrat Durbin praises Republican Kirk for "stepping up," backing raising debt limit

WASHINGTON–Sen. Dick Durbin, a Democrat, praised his Illinois GOP colleague, Sen. Mark Kirk from the Senate floor on Wednesday for announcing his support to raise the debt ceiling with no strings attached. Kirk was the first Republican to make the public pledge.

“I want to say a special word about my colleague, my Republican Senate colleague Mark Kirk who announced this week that he would vote for a clean debt ceiling,” Durbin said.

“I have said it back home and I will say it here on the floor–it’s the right thing to do for my colleague, it’s the right thing to do for America. I want to express my appreciation for his leadership.

“I hope his example of stepping up and saying he’s going to put the country first before his party is one that will be followed by other members on his side.”