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Biden Puts VP Harris in Charge of Debt Ceiling Negotiations
President Joe Biden has gone on international travel, leaving Vice President Kamala Harris to inform her of the ongoing debt ceiling negotiations.
Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and the White House are still discussing a potential debt ceiling resolution, as Biden went to Japan on Wednesday.
Biden left Harris to participate in a “virtual briefing” on the debt ceiling discussions in his place.
Ronna McDaniel, Chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC), issued a statement criticizing the Biden administration's lack of leadership in the discussions.
“While Joe Biden has left the country, border czar Kamala Harris is now involved in debt ceiling negotiations despite presiding over the worst border crisis in history,” McDaniel said in a written statement. “The Biden-Harris administration’s lack of leadership creates crisis after crisis, leaving American families to suffer the consequences, but they don’t care.”
McCarthy’s deputy spokesman, Chad Gilmartin, wrote, “As House and Senate Republicans hold a press conference on a responsible debt limit increase, President Biden departs for Asia…”
The most recent White House discussion with McCarthy on the debt ceiling occurred as Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned that the federal government might approach the debt limit by June 1. This apparent deadline has put Biden and McCarthy under pressure to reach a deal.
McCarthy told reporters this week that he hopes an agreement will be reached “before the end of the week.”
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