High stakes: Best- and worst-case scenarios for Kevin McCarthy in debt crisis crunch

Time is ticking before the United States defaults on its national debt, and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is facing pressure on two fronts: one from the White House to make concessions on the GOP's debt ceiling bill and one from his own party to cut spending and avoid a looming debt crisis.

McCarthy and President Joe Biden are set to meet Monday afternoon to continue on-again, off-again negotiations to strike a budget compromise as June 1, the projected default date, grows closer. Hanging over the speaker's head is the growing frustration from Republicans who want to see...