Race Against The Clock: Biden And McCarthy's Desperate Bid To Raise US Debt Ceiling
- Posted on May 16, 2023
- News
- By Arijit Dutta
- 598 Views

Economic
Doomsday Looms: Biden and McCarthy's Last-Chance Effort to Raise the Debt
Ceiling
President Joe Biden and top Republican leader
Kevin McCarthy are set to meet on Tuesday in a crucial attempt to reach an
agreement on raising the US government's debt ceiling, a move necessary to
avoid a disastrous default. With time running out, the Treasury Department has
issued a warning that it may run out of funds to meet its obligations as early
as June 1. Failure to raise the debt ceiling would result in severe economic
repercussions, including a potential recession.
Urgent
Warning: Yellen Sounds Alarm as Economic Costs Mount in Congressional Deadlock
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stressed the
urgency of the situation, stating that every day Congress delays action, the
economic costs increase, posing a threat to the US economy. Republican
lawmakers, who currently hold a majority in the House of Representatives, have
consistently insisted that any increase in the borrowing limit must be
accompanied by spending cuts. In recent discussions, both sides have explored
various issues, such as spending caps and changes to energy permits, as
possible concessions to secure votes for raising the limit.

Tight
Timelines and High Stakes: McCarthy Urges Swift Resolution Amid Biden's Global
Commitments
While White House officials have characterized
the talks as constructive, McCarthy expressed doubts about significant progress
being made. With the timeline to pass legislation in both the House and the
Senate becoming increasingly tight, there is a pressing need for a resolution.
McCarthy emphasized the urgency by stating that a deal must be reached by the
upcoming weekend. However, given the limited time and upcoming commitments,
including Biden's attendance at the Group of Seven summits in Japan, finding a
solution may prove challenging.
Democrats
in Battle Mode: Schumer Slams Republicans for Blocking Debt Ceiling Increase
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, expected
to participate in the White House meeting, affirmed the seriousness with which
Democrats are approaching the negotiations. He criticized Republicans for
blocking a debt ceiling increase, despite having supported it three times
during Donald Trump's presidency. Schumer asserted that default must be taken
off the table, cautioning against using it as a bargaining chip, as the
consequences would be dire.
Debt
Ceiling Déjà Vu: Risks and Reminders of 2011 Crisis Haunt Current Impasse
Past experiences have demonstrated the risks
associated with political standoffs over the debt ceiling. In 2011, a similar
situation led to a downgrade of the United States' credit rating, triggering
stock market declines and higher borrowing costs. The current impasse has
already unsettled investors, causing the cost of insuring against US government
debt to reach record levels. Moreover, a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed
that three-quarters of Americans fear the toll a default would take on their
families.

Too
Many Cooks in the Negotiation Kitchen? Complexity Threatens Debt Ceiling Talks
Some experts have raised concerns about the
complexity of the ongoing talks, involving five key participants: Biden,
McCarthy, Schumer, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, and House Democrat
leader Hakeem Jeffries. Critics argue that the large number of participants may
hinder progress. Senate Republican John Thune echoed these concerns, suggesting
that Biden and McCarthy should take the lead in the discussions and involve
their respective teams to reach a resolution.
Turning
the Tables: House Rule Change Tilts Balance in Favor of Hardliners in Debt
Ceiling Talks
Complicating matters further, McCarthy agreed
to a change in House rules that grants greater power to hardliners, including
members of the House Freedom Caucus, who could exert influence on the outcome
of the negotiations.
Countdown
to Crisis: Biden and McCarthy Race Against Time on Debt Ceiling Issue
The clock is ticking as Biden and McCarthy
prepare to meet, with the fate of the debt-ceiling issue hanging in the
balance. The urgency is clear, and the consequences of inaction are
significant. Both sides must navigate the challenges ahead and find common
ground to ensure the economic stability and well-being of the United States.
For more updates keep visiting our website
www.topstoriesworld.com where we
provide unbiased, true and top stories of the world.