One day before a high-profile meeting at the White House to discuss the best way forward to avoid a calamitous default on the U.S. debt., new House Speaker Kevin McCarthy responded curtly to a memo sent by the White House on Tuesday morning.
Working to control the narrative, McCarthy disclosed elements of the White House memo he received, saying the memo had two main points:
1. National Economic Council Director Brian Deese and Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young pushed for a commitment from McCarthy that he would ensure the country would pay its already incurred debt.
Deese and Young added: “The United States must never default on its financial obligations. Raising the debt ceiling is not a negotiation; it is an obligation of this country and its leaders to avoid economic chaos.”
2. President Biden will want to know when Republicans will release their budget, “which would show what programs the new House majority would cut to reduce the deficit and the debt.” MSN reported.
McCarthy took issue with the memo and posted a response on Twitter, writing: “Mr. President: I received your staff’s memo. I’m not interested in political games.”
The Speaker added: “I’m coming to negotiate for the American people.”
Tension between McCarthy and the White House has escalated since the speaker removed Eric Swalwell and Adam Schiff from the Select Committee on Intelligence for cause although against the pleas of the White House.
“House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) also opposed McCarthy’s removal of three Democrats from key committee positions.
McCarthy responded to Jeffries on Tuesday: “This is not anything political. This is not similar to what the Democrats did,” McCarthy told reporters late Tuesday afternoon.
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