avoid a default that way. and that would mean you have to do it alone, through reconciliation. that's more time consuming. means that democrats are going to have to own this completely, right? you are not going to get anyone coming across party lines to support you. but that may be the only way you can get this done. do you support doing it that way? >> well, first of all, good evening, erin. good to be with you. and look, i think it's exactly what mitch mcconnell wants because even the reconciliation option is -- a lot of pitfalls that he is ready to exploit. so there's still time, and i still hope that we can appeal to our republican colleagues to do the right thing. i mean, if they're just not going to -- if they're not going to be helpful on raising the debt ceiling, and -- and do what they are doing now which is to actually obstruct democrats willing to do it alone, then they should also explain why they are doing this. are they going to apologize for having voted to add to the deficit in the past? or are they going to apologize for having voted to raise the debt ceiling, as you said, mr.