In a decision that went against the White House’s earlier stated position, President Biden on Monday ultimately asked Kevin McCarthy, the House Speaker (R-CA) to discuss raising the debt ceiling during a meeting on May 9 in order to prevent default.
Following days of stonewalling, McCarthy got a call from Biden while traveling in Israel asking to set up a meeting to discuss raising the debt ceiling, according to Punchbowl News.
Karine Jean-Pierre, the press secretary for the White House, stated on Thursday that “We have no intention of negotiating on this. We’ve made our position very clear.”
McCarthy and House GOP approved a package to increase the debt ceiling on Wednesday. According to reports, McCarthy’s successful enactment of the bill caught the Biden admin. off guard. The Biden administration seemed unprepared for McCarthy’s unexpected triumph.
“It is not a plan,” Jean-Pierre remarked of the House measure on Monday. “It’s a surefire recipe for economic disaster.”
“The House Republicans must perform their duties. Congress must take action,” she stated. “It is their constitutionally mandated duty.”
The White House’s obstinate stance persisted into Monday afternoon. Biden contacted McCarthy approximately an hour following the White House news briefing.
As Biden and McCarthy get ready to negotiate, Chuck Schumer, the Senate Majority Leader (D-CA) is announcing hearings on the House measure in an effort to condemn it publicly. Schumer has been unable to pass his own measure as well as to vote on the House bill.
