Republicans allowed a resolution on millionaires to proceed in hopes of putting Democrats on the spot about raising taxes. 

“Everything is on the table except raising taxes on the American people,” the Speaker said ahead of a White House meeting.

Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.) on Wednesday introduced legislation that would lower the debt ceiling by $1.3 trillion starting in FY 2012, which he said would force the federal government to start paying off the national debt.

"Should my legislation be signed into law, Washington would have to actually make the cuts that until now they've only talked about, and our national debt would be one step closer to being manageable," Broun said. "My legislation would not just slow down, or stop the reckless spending train; it would completely turn it around."

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Thursday morning said Republicans’ claim that they are "looking out for the people" in the debate over raising the debt ceiling is both “ridiculous” and “preposterous.”

“Democrats believe all Americans, including those who can afford private jets and yachts, should contribute to the collective effort to reduce the deficit,” said Reid. 

“The question is, why aren't Republicans willing to do the same?” he asked. "They say it's because they're looking out for the people. That claim ... is ridiculous. This claim is without foundation. It's really preposterous.”

The Senate on Thursday is debating a non-binding “sense of the Senate" resolution that would recommend that those who earn $1 million or more each year pay a greater share of taxes.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) this week offered legislation that would increase the debt ceiling by $2.4 trillion in order to meet the spending obligations in President Obama's fiscal 2012 budget proposal.

His bill, S. 1326, was placed on the Senate calendar this week, although it was not clear that the Senate would consider his bill. In early June, Paul introduced similar language as an amendment to a bill that would increase Commerce Department funding, but did so in the hopes of showing there is no support for a $2.4 trillion increase in the debt ceiling without commitments to reduce spending.

Paul offered a tongue-in-cheek description of his language in June, saying he would vote against it but that he was offering it because he "really want[s] to get along" and "make this vote available to those who want to raise the debt ceiling."

The House adjourned shortly before 11 p.m. Wednesday night, and faces several key amendment votes Thursday on the Department of Defense Appropriations Act when it returns for legislative work at noon.

Most important are a series of votes on amendments that would defund all or part of military operations in Afghanistan. Democrats introduced several of these Wednesday.

House appropriators late Wednesday night issued a stern warning to Pakistan that they are considering cutting off funds to that country in light of the controversy over whether Pakistani officials fully cooperated with the U.S. in the hunt for Osama bin Laden.

Speaking on the House floor, Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.), the third ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, warned that he would be studying the circumstances surrounding bin Laden's discovery in the heart of Pakistan, and could introduce language cutting off funds for Pakistan in the foreign operations spending bill.

House Republicans spent much of Wednesday fighting with themselves over precisely how much to spend on military bands in FY 2012.

The House on Wednesday afternoon took up the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, which included language that would cap DOD spending on military bands at $200 million. That language was approved in committee in June, through an amendment from Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.).

House Democrats on Wednesday night held a short protest against ongoing military actions in Afghanistan in which they briefly delayed consideration of the Defense Department Appropriations Act, and then proceeded to bring up a series of amendments to that bill to defund various aspects of U.S. operations in Afghanistan.

Several Democrats rose to say they oppose the Obama administration's plan to stay in Afghanistan for years longer. Obama recently announced he would withdraw 10,000 troops by the end of this year, and 20,000 more by 2012.

"Frankly I think he made the wrong decision," Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) said of Obama's decision. He also urged members to support defunding Afghanistan operations.