End of an Era? House GOP Skips Fight on Debt Cap

House Republicans backed away from a battle over the government's debt cap today and permitted Democrats to drive quick passage of a measure to increase the government's borrowing cap without any concessions from the White House. The 221-201 vote came hours after Speaker John Boehner announced that his fractured party would relent and not seek to add other items to the must-pass legislation. Twenty-eight Republicans voted yes. The bill would permit Treasury to borrow normally for another 13 months; the Senate is expected to pass it tomorrow.

Here's a look at how it's being played:

• New York Times: "It effectively ended a three-year, Tea Party-fueled era when a series of budget showdowns raised the threat of debt defaults and government shutdowns, rattled economic confidence and brought serious scrutiny from an international community questioning Washington’s ability to govern."
• Wall Street Journal: It's "a tactical retreat by Republicans stymied by their internal divisions."
• The Hill: "Boehner's decision drew heavy criticism from conservative groups, many of whom said Boehner needs to be replaced. Many noted that the so-called 'Boehner rule' now appears dead—that was the informal name for Boehner's effort to extract spending cuts in exchange for debt ceiling hikes."
• Politico: "It’s also a clear sign of the House Republican Conference’s inability to move beyond fiscal fights and lays in plain view the leadership’s inability—or unwillingness—to corral votes for their priorities."

(More John Boehner stories.)