Senate leaders play debt ceiling blame game while aides negotiate behind the scenes

Aides for top congressional leaders resumed talks on raising the nation’s debt limit behind closed doors, even as top Senate leaders continue to wage a messaging war one day after meeting with President Joe Biden.

“As you recall, I’ve consistently said since February, the way this dilemma is dealt with is determined by the American people,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said during a press conference with reporters on Wednesday. “They gave us a divided government, just like they did in 2019, when I had to tell President Trump something he was not anxious to hear, which he needed to reach an agreement with Nancy Pelosi on this issue."

“You may recall, he designated the Secretary of the Treasury, Steve Mnuchin, who negotiated a deal, and Donald Trump and Nancy Pelosi, two bitter enemies, entered into a two-year budget cap and increased the debt ceiling. This can be done, and it must be done,” McConnell added.