Staff Reports
The Hill reported that President Joe Biden is now open to negotiations with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy regarding raising the debt ceiling. Despite the White House previously criticizing McCarthy’s proposal to raise the debt ceiling with the Limit, Save, Grow Act, they are now willing to engage in talks. This development coincides with McCarthy’s trip to Israel, where he is leading a congressional delegation.
Is Biden Finally Getting His Act Together on the Debt Ceiling? https://t.co/xSaackBLNm
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) May 2, 2023
The President has scheduled a meeting with McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on May 9. Fox News has even confirmed the invitation, as per their senior congressional correspondent, Chad Pergram.
B) WH offical: ..and invited the four leaders to the White House to discuss the urgency of preventing default, as well as how to initiate a separate process to address the budget and fiscal year 2024 appropriations.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) May 1, 2023
Fox confirms Biden called top four Congressional leaders today on debt limit and invited them to a May 9th meeting
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) May 1, 2023
It’s not about fiscal responsibility – it’s about harming hardworking Americans. pic.twitter.com/fXf2Yn1qTt
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 27, 2023
2) Arrington: The Democrat narrative is misleading and preys on the fears of veterans and vulnerable people while conveniently failing to address the billions of wasteful Washington spending.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) May 1, 2023
REPORTER: "Speaker McCarthy says he wants to meet with Biden. Why hasn't that happened?"
KJP: "It's the Speaker McCarthy and the MAGA wing of the Republican party that is doing this. We're not doing this…They're doing this!" pic.twitter.com/mKDePwUVim
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) April 25, 2023
REPORTER: “Has the White House done anything to reach out” to Speaker McCarthy?
KJP: “What they have put forward, look…it’s not a plan. It’s a recipe for economic catastrophe!” pic.twitter.com/TdDIdektnq
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) May 1, 2023
KJP: Republican debt bill is “going to hurt Americans. It’s going to throw the economy into chaos.” pic.twitter.com/3fgvUVoW5B
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) May 1, 2023
Romney on Biden calling a May 9 mtg on debt ceiling: It's a little late. It's May 1 now. How about May 2? How about May 3, how about May 4?..let's get together and get this done. It should not hang over the the American family like it is
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) May 1, 2023
Romney on debt ceiling: I'm frankly a little appalled that that leadership in the White House has not taken this seriously enough to sit down and negotiate in good faith and get something done on a timely basis. We're in May now. We’ve got to move
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) May 1, 2023
Tester also said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer should put a clean debt ceiling hike — with no conditions — on the floor for a vote.
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) May 1, 2023
Congressional Republicans’ plan to raise the debt ceiling has been consistently criticized by the White House. The plan, which was approved by the House last week, would reset spending levels to those of fiscal year 2022, which Democrats initially celebrated. However, the White House reacted quickly, threatening a veto despite the plan being deemed unviable in the Democrat-controlled Senate.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre even went so far as to claim that the plan could cause children to develop asthma and “literally melt bones.” The proposal has been described as “harmful to Americans” and likely to “create economic chaos.” Republicans have at least put forward and passed a plan, whereas Democrats remain unwilling to engage in negotiations.
The reason behind Biden’s decision to negotiate on the debt ceiling issue could be attributed to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s letter to McCarthy, warning that the US may default on its debt by June 1. It is illogical and hypocritical for Biden and most Democrats to resist negotiations regarding this matter.
While some Democrats have urged the President to negotiate with McCarthy, others persist in being overtly partisan. It would be beneficial for everyone to sit down and collaborate on this significant issue as soon as possible. President Biden and his Democratic counterparts should cease playing politics and prioritize the American people’s interests.
