Debt Ceiling Deal Remains Elusive as Democrats Offer Spending Freeze
Summary from the AllSides News Team
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) said negotiators were “nowhere near a deal” to raise the debt ceiling as they continued to debate capping future federal spending.
Latest Developments: Both McCarthy and President Joe Biden said their Monday meeting had been “productive,” but no deal was reached. Democratic negotiators have reportedly offered to freeze discretionary spending at current levels in exchange for Republican support for raising the debt limit, but Republicans have insisted on cutting future spending. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) called the spending cap proposal “inherently reasonable” on Monday, frustrating some progressives. Another round of talks on Tuesday morning reportedly ended with no signs of progress.
For Context: With a divided government, at least some House Republican votes are needed to raise the debt limit and avoid a default. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has said the government could stop being able to pay its bills as early as June 1 — now about one week away — but others have suggested the true deadline could be later.
How the Media Covered It: Coverage was common across the spectrum. Coverage of Jeffries’ comments appeared more common in left-leaning or progressive outlets. NPR (Lean Left bias) highlighted poll data showing a “slim majority” of support for raising the debt ceiling and discussing spending later.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
'This Is Just Amateur Hour': Progressives Criticize Jeffries' Comments on Debt Ceiling Talks
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Monday that he views discussions of a federal spending freeze—a real-term cut when adjusted for inflation—as "inherently reasonable," a position likely to rankle progressive lawmakers who have warned against giving an inch to Republican hostage-takers.
"We're willing to discuss freezing spending at current levels," Jeffries (D-N.Y.) told reporters following the latest meeting between House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and President Joe Biden on the debt ceiling—a sit-down that came with the U.S. government just 10 days away from possibly defaulting on its obligations.
Jeffries, who has fought with...
From the Center
McCarthy has little room to maneuver in debt ceiling talks
Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who was narrowly elected Speaker in January after 15 ballots, is coming under heavy pressure from conservatives not to agree to any debt ceiling deal that falls well short of the House-passed legislation that cut $4.8 trillion from the deficit.
So far, President Biden’s proposal to cap discretionary spending has fallen flat with McCarthy, who wants the White House to cut discretionary spending on domestic programs without cutting defense.
McCarthy tried to sound optimistic about reaching a deal after meeting with Biden at the White House late...
From the Right
McCarthy warns White House and GOP ‘nowhere near a deal’ on debt ceiling
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) warned Republican lawmakers that his team is “nowhere near a deal” with the White House on the debt ceiling, ramping up pressure on President Joe Biden just nine days before the default deadline.
In a closed-door meeting with GOP lawmakers on Tuesday, McCarthy told members a compromise on the debt ceiling was still far off, reiterating his position that he would not increase spending or raise the debt ceiling without conditions. Republicans emerged from the meeting wary of negotiators’ progress, telling reporters the talks are not going well so far.
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