Majority Leader Schumer and Democratic Leader Jeffries have made it clear that Democrats are not withdrawing their demand for a clean debt ceiling bill.
In a joint statement on the debt ceiling to Politico USA, Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries:
We don’t have the luxury of waiting until June 1 to come together, pass a clean bill, and prevent dire consequences for our economy and millions of American families. Republicans cannot allow right-wing extremism to take over our country.
For generations, Congress has made spending and revenue decisions as part of the annual budget process, which is currently underway. That is the right place to debate and discuss our nation’s fiscal picture – not in the context of extreme MAGA Republicans trying to impose their radical agenda on America. It’s time to put aside partisan gerrymandering and do what’s right and important for the American people to avoid the first-ever collapse of American government that will destabilize the stock market, increase household spending, and threaten retirement savings.
It doesn’t matter if the debt limit is tomorrow. Democrats have held firm. The most likely deal is that Republicans will pass a clean debt limit increase, and Democrats will agree to budget negotiations.
There are some legitimate areas to discuss the budget, but those discussions should not hold the country’s economy hostage.
Democrats continue to say they won’t negotiate on budget items until the debt ceiling is resolved cleanly.
House and Senate Democrats won’t join the two because that would only allow more hostages.
Biden, Schumer and Jeffries may meet with McCarthy McConnell, but the message of the meeting should be no talk of spending until the debt limit is raised.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a member of the White House Press Pool and Congressional Correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a bachelor’s degree in political science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform activities.
Awards and professional memberships
Member of the Association of Professional Journalists and the American Political Science Association
