Biden Directs Staff to Negotiate Directly with McCarthy in Debt Ceiling Talks
Summary from the AllSides News Team
President Biden met with Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other congressional leaders Tuesday afternoon to discuss raising the nation’s debt limit.
The Details: Yet again, little progress was made, but optimism was reportedly expressed about future talks. McCarthy was pleased that Biden designated a counselor of his, Steve Ricchetti, and Shalanda Young, director of the Office of Management and Budget, to negotiate directly with McCarthy’s team.
For Context: The Treasury Department will reportedly lose its ability to fulfill U.S. obligations on June 1. Earlier Tuesday McCarthy reiterated the importance of introducing stricter work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which several Democrats labeled a “non-starter.” Senator Whip John Thune (R-SD) suggested a framework for an increase should be done by the end of the week, so lawmakers have enough time to draft and pass legislation by the June deadline.
Key Quotes: “The structure of how we negotiate has improved. It now gives you a better opportunity,” said McCarthy. “I do not share that optimism so long as Speaker McCarthy is one of the only people in the room and he’s still got his finger on the default detonator,” said Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).
How The Media Covered It: Washington Times (Lean Right bias) highlighted the move for negotiations to occur directly between Biden's and McCarthy’s teams has been a previous suggestion of Mitch McConnell’s. Associated Press (Lean Left bias) criticized McCarthy for first meeting with Biden over 100 days ago, yet only putting forth his own proposal now.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
McCarthy says debt ceiling deal possible by end of week as Biden cuts short upcoming foreign tripPresident Joe Biden and congressional Republicans are still far from resolving the looming U.S. default crisis, but a deal is still possible by the end of the week, GOP House Speaker Kevin McCarthy declared after an Oval Office meeting Tuesday with Biden and other Democratic leaders.
Meanwhile, Biden is cutting short a big, upcoming foreign trip because of the urgency of the talks. He will still attend a Group of Seven summit in Japan this week but will then hurry home rather than going to Australia and Papua New Guinea as planned.
For...
From the Center
Tick, tick, tick: Biden, lawmakers fail to reach breakthrough on debt ceilingPresident Biden and congressional leaders made little progress toward securing a deal to raise the nation’s debt limit at a crucial meeting Tuesday afternoon — though they did express some optimism about future talks between staff from the White House and Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).
The talks hit a roadblock before the principals arrived at the White House, with McCarthy reiterating his demand to implement stricter work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), an idea that has run into stiff Democratic resistance.
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