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The White House reprimanded Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel on Thursday after she said the debt ceiling fight “bodes very well” for Republicans, accusing her of encouraging a potential economic disaster as lawmakers prepare for the Memorial Day weekend. days off for less money. more than a week to prevent a federal default.
RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel speaks at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute’s A. … [+]
Basic facts
McDaniel told Fox on Wednesday that President Joe Biden is “failing the American people” on the debt ceiling crisis, calling him “the Home Office president” on ongoing negotiations and other issues including crime and border security; “So I think it bodes well. For the Republican field,” he said.
White House spokesman Andrew Bates accused McDaniel of advocating for an “unprecedented economic downturn” for “perceived political gain.” statement Thursday, calling his comments “appalling and revealing.”
“These dire remarks clearly spell historic disaster for the entire country,” Bates said, adding that “McDaniel just told the American people that a default would be ‘worth scoring the cheapest political points imaginable.’
The latest reaction comes as GOP and White House negotiators have worked for weeks on a deal to raise the federal government’s $31.4 trillion borrowing limit after months of deadlock over Republican demands for spending cuts that the White House has urged to the GOP. negotiate through the budget process.
What to watch?
The House will adjourn on Thursday and Biden will travel to Camp David and then Delaware for the weekend. Lawmakers could be recalled on 24 hours’ notice to vote on debt ceiling legislation if the GOP and White House negotiators reach an agreement by next week.
main background
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and the White House have been deadlocked for months over the federal borrowing limit, which Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has said must be raised by June 1 or the U.S. will risk its financial debt. liabilities, an unprecedented scenario that is likely to lead to a recession. Democrats and the Biden administration are pushing Republicans to agree to raise the debt ceiling without any other conditions, but the GOP is pushing to include sweeping spending cuts and a rollback of key Biden policies. McCarthy expressed optimism Thursday about the status of negotiations, telling ABC News. “Yesterday, I thought it was a very good day. We made some progress,” adding, “There are still unresolved issues.” A day earlier, he reiterated Republican hopes for spending caps and more work requirements for welfare recipients.
Tangent
Some Democrats have urged Biden to publicly call on Republicans to raise the debt ceiling in a national address, reflecting growing frustration within the party with the White House’s relatively subdued public messaging strategy over the negotiations. “The president should be there,” he said. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) reported Political, a feeling that shares. Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas), who accused McCarthy of framing the negotiations as “very dishonest.” Rep. Stephen Horsford (D-Nev.) also expressed dissatisfaction with Biden’s restraint. “They should use the power of the presidency. I don’t buy this argument with that [public silence] helps the negotiations,” he said Political.
Further reading
Biden ‘can’t guarantee’ GOP won’t force default as debt ceiling looms (Forbes)
Yellen doubles June 1 deadline to avoid default.
GOP senators say ‘nobody believes’ Yellen’s June 1 debt ceiling deadline; Here’s why they might be right (Forbes)