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WASHINGTON, May 28 (Reuters) - Republican U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Sunday dismissed vehement opposition among party hardliners to a new agreement with President Joe Biden to suspend the $31.4 trillion debt ceiling, predicting that most House Republicans would support the deal. House Republicans expected to unveil legislation to pass the deal later on Sunday. But McCarthy dismissed threats of opposition within his own party, saying "over 95%" of House Republicans were "overwhelmingly excited" about the deal. "This is a good strong bill that a majority of Republicans will vote for," the California Republican told reporters in the U.S. Capitol. Progressive Democrats in both chambers have said they would not support any deal that has additional work requirements for food and healthcare programs.

A failure by Congress to deal with its self-imposed debt ceiling before June 5 could trigger a default that would shake financial markets and send the United States into a deep recession. Hours before the deal was announced, some hardline Republicans balked at McCarthy cooperating with the White House. Progressive Democrats in both chambers have said they would not support any deal that has additional work requirements. This deal does, sources say, adding work requirements to food aid for people aged 50 to 54. But Republicans and Democrats will need to battle over which ones in the months to come, as the deal doesn't specify them.

WASHINGTON, May 27 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden and top congressional Republican Kevin McCarthy reached a tentative deal to suspend the federal government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling on Saturday evening, ending a months-long stalemate. Biden and McCarthy held a 90-minute phone call earlier on Saturday evening to discuss the deal, McCarthy briefed his members later in the evening, and the White House and the House leader spoke afterward. [1/6] General view of the U.S. Capitol after U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) reached a tentative deal with President Joe Biden to raise the United States' debt ceiling and avoid a catastrophic default, in Washington, U.S. May 27, 2023. The long standoff on raising the debt ceiling spooked financial markets, weighing on stocks and forcing the United States to pay record-high interest rates in some bond sales. The work to raise the debt ceiling is far from done.

However just ahead of the expected call between Biden and McCarthy, Republican deal negotiator Patrick McHenry told reporters "major disagreement" remained between his party and Biden's Democrats. That's what we've offered with our approach to raising the debt ceiling, with work requirements for able bodied folks to get back in the workforce. The two sides have tentatively reached an agreement that would raise the debt ceiling by enough to cover the country's borrowing needs through the November 2024 presidential election. Republican Representative Dan Bishop reacted with anger to the idea of extending the debt ceiling through the next presidential election. A failure by Congress to raise its self-imposed debt ceiling before June 5 could trigger a default that would shake financial markets and send the United States into a deep recession.

The two sides have tentatively reached an agreement that would raise the debt ceiling by enough to cover the country's borrowing needs through the November 2024 presidential election. It would boost spending on the military and veterans' care, and cap spending for many discretionary domestic programs, according to sources familiar with the talks. McCarthy said Republicans were also still pushing for reforms to energy permitting, including making it easier to drill for gas and oil. Republican Representative Dan Bishop reacted with anger to the idea of extending the debt ceiling through the next presidential election. A failure by Congress to raise its self-imposed debt ceiling before June 5 could trigger a default that would shake financial markets and send the United States into a deep recession.

"Things are looking good," Biden told reporters. "I'm hopeful," said McHenry, one of House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy's lead negotiators with the White House. Negotiators are discussing a deal that would lift the limit for two years, but remain at odds over whether to stiffen work requirements for some anti-poverty programs. WORK REQUIREMENTS IN DISPUTEThe safety-net programs remained a sticking point. Biden in particular has resisted the work requirements for Medicaid, which covered 85 million Americans as of January.

"Unfortunately, the White House moved backwards," McCarthy said, adding that the "socialist wing" of the Democratic Party appeared to be in control. McCarthy's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the White House statement. Democratic President Biden’s proposed 2024 budget and Republicans’ ‘Limit, Save, Grow’ Act will both generate budget savings over a decade, but how they will do so is starkly different. The source also said House Republicans want to extend tax cuts passed under former President Donald Trump, which would add $3.5 trillion to the federal debt. Congressional Republicans voted to raise the debt ceiling three times, with no budget cut pre-conditions, when Republican President Donald Trump was in the White House.

☆ Washington quiet as debt ceiling deadline inches closer
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Nathan... Read moreWASHINGTON, May 20 (Reuters) - White House and Republican congressional negotiators on raising the federal $31.4 trillion debt ceiling were quiet on Saturday after meetings on Friday failed and President Joe Biden said in Japan he believed a default could be avoided. Biden said in Japan late on Friday Washington time that he still believed a default could be avoided. Biden was upbeat despite the White House acknowledging that "serious differences" remained with Republicans, who control the House of Representatives. Democrats have been pushing to hold spending steady at this year's levels, while Republicans want to return to 2022 levels. A plan passed by the House last month would cut a wide swath of government spending by 8% next year.

WASHINGTON, May 19 (Reuters) - A second meeting on Friday between White House and Republican congressional negotiators on raising the federal government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling broke up with no progress cited by either side and no additional meeting set. Senior White House adviser Steve Ricchetti left the meeting room telling reporters that he was "not assessing" the talks. A meeting earlier on Friday ended abruptly with McCarthy telling reporters there had not been any "movement" from the White House toward Republican demands. Biden and McCarthy spent most of the year in an impasse with the White House insisting on a "clean" increase in the debt ceiling without conditions. They agreed to two-way talks, with the White House represented by Shalanda Young, director of the Office of Management and Budget, and Ricchetti.

WASHINGTON, May 19 (Reuters) - A second meeting on Friday between White House and Republican congressional negotiators on raising the federal government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling broke up with no progress cited by either side and no additional meeting set. "We had a very, very candid discussion talking about where we are, talking about where things need to be," Republican Representative Garret Graves told reporters following a brief meeting in the Capitol with White House officials. He echoed earlier remarks by House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy that progress needed to be made on changing the "trajectory" of U.S. government deficit spending. A second Republican negotiator, Representative Patrick McHenry, said McCarthy would be briefed on the status of the talks. Senior White House adviser Steve Ricchetti left the meeting room telling reporters that he was "not assessing" the talks.

A White House official confirmed the talks were resuming. "We've got to get movement from the White House and we don't have any movement yet," McCarthy told reporters during the pause in talks. A White House official said: "There are real differences between the parties on budget issues and talks will be difficult. Biden and McCarthy spent most of the year in an impasse with the White House insisting on a "clean" increase in the debt ceiling without conditions. A White House official said a deal remained possible.

WASHINGTON, May 19 (Reuters) - U.S. House Republicans and President Joe Biden's Democratic administration on Friday paused talks on raising the federal government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling, rattling financial markets as the deadline to avoid default ticked closer. Talks at the Capitol broke up around midday, and there was no immediate word on when they would resume. A White House official said: "There are real differences between the parties on budget issues and talks will be difficult. Biden and McCarthy spent most of the year in an impasse with the White House insisting on a "clean" increase in the debt ceiling without conditions. Young and Ricchetti told reporters they were going to play it "by ear" as they departed the negotiating sessions, according to reporters for NBC News and ABC News.

Democrats were not as positive about a quick time frame, but the White House called the meetings "productive and direct." Republicans have refused to vote to lift the debt ceiling past its $31.3 trillion limit unless Biden and his Democrats agree to spending cuts in the federal budget. Going forward, the talks will be narrowed for more engagement between House Republicans and the White House, McCarthy said. White House adviser Steve Ricchetti and budget director Shalanda Young will lead discussions for the administration. "We can raise the debt ceiling if we limit what we're going to spend in the future," McCarthy told reporters.

☆ US House Democrat to force vote to expel embattled Republican George Santos
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Moira Warburton | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Garcia, who represents a House district in California, used a parliamentary maneuver to force a vote within two days on the motion. "George Santos is a fraud and a liar, and he needs to be expelled by the House," Garcia said in a statement. "Republicans now have a chance to demonstrate to Americans that an admitted criminal should not serve in the House of Representatives." Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has said he would not support Santos's re-election bid. Nine House Republicans have called on Santos to resign, including six from New York.

Biden sat down in the Oval Office with House of Representatives Speaker McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell. "We're just getting started," Biden told reporters just after 3 p.m. EDT (2000 GMT), before ushering them out the door so the meeting could begin. Biden is trying to reach a debt ceiling deal by June 1 to lift the threat of economic calamity. The White House announced Biden may be forced to skip a stop in Australia during an Asia trip due to the debt limit drama. "We can raise the debt ceiling if we limit what we're going to spend in the future," McCarthy told reporters.

WASHINGTON, May 16 (Reuters) - Democratic President Joe Biden and top congressional Republican Kevin McCarthy are expected to discuss new work requirements for benefits programs for low-income Americans during Tuesday's debt ceiling negotiations, sources familiar with the talks said. Expanding the work requirements has been a key demand of Republicans, who are also pushing for spending cuts in exchange for their votes to raise the debt limit. "We can raise the debt ceiling if we limit what we're going to spend in the future," McCarthy told reporters. The current deadlock has rattled investors, sending the cost of insuring exposure to U.S. government debt to record highs. 2 Senate Republican John Thune told reporters the talks appear to have "too many cooks."

WASHINGTON, May 16 (Reuters) - Democratic President Joe Biden and top congressional Republican Kevin McCarthy will sit down on Tuesday to try to make progress on a deal to raise the U.S. government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling and avert an economically catastrophic default. House of Representatives Speaker McCarthy on Tuesday told reporters that his party, which controls the chamber by a 222-213 margin, would only agree to a deal that cuts spending. "We can raise the debt ceiling if we limit what we're going to spend in the future," McCarthy told reporters. Tuesday's White House meeting, which will include Biden, McCarthy, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell and top House Democrat Hakeem Jeffries, is due to begin at 3 p.m. EDT (1900 GMT). 2 Senate Republican John Thune told reporters that the talks appear to have "too many cooks."

White House officials have described the talks as constructive, but McCarthy on Monday warned that he believed little progress had been made. Democrats including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who is also expected to attend Tuesday's White House meeting, said that talks were proceeding in a "serious way." 'TOO MANY COOKS'Some observers have raised concerns that the five-party talks -- featuring Biden, McCarthy, Schumer, top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell and top House Democrat Hakeem Jeffries -- are too unwieldy to make progress. 2 Senate Republican John Thune told reporters that the talks appear to have "too many cooks." "As we've said all along, it is Biden and McCarthy," Thune said.

☆ Two staffers in U.S. House Democrat's Virginia office attacked with baseball bat
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Moira Warburton | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, May 15 (Reuters) - A person wielding a baseball bat attacked two staff members in Democratic U.S. Representative Gerry Connolly's district office in northern Virginia on Monday, Connolly and local police said. The suspect, who arrived at Connolly's office asking for the congressman, is now in custody, Fairfax City Police said in a statement. Both staffers were transferred to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries, he said. Connolly, 73, has served in the House since 2009, representing a district that covers Virginia suburbs to the west of Washington, D.C. Reporting by Moira Warburton in Washington; Editing by Leslie AdlerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Debt ceiling worries deepen as early June U.S. default reinforced
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-12 | by ( Richard Cowan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The U.S. Congressional Budget Office report, issued Friday morning, confirms Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's earlier warnings that a default could come as early as June 1. Congress' budget scorekeeper also noted that the federal government's debt payments "will remain uncertain throughout May, even if the Treasury ultimately runs out of funds in early June." She also said she remained optimistic that the debt limit problem would be resolved. A senior Treasury official told Reuters she would do that with board members of the Bank Policy Institute lobby group. Democratic Representative Abigail Spanberger said members of the U.S. Congress ought to have their paychecks withheld until the debt limit problem is resolved.

But some areas of potential compromise emerged after a White House meeting on Tuesday. Deep disagreements remained over competing pressures for spending cuts versus tax increases. Meanwhile, the White House reiterated its backing for legislation speeding government permitting of energy projects by setting maximum timelines. House and Senate Republicans, meanwhile, have said they will not authorize any additional borrowing without an agreement to cut future spending. The last time the nation got this close to default was in 2011 - also with a Democratic president and Senate with a Republican-led House.

Time is tight to avoid a historic, economically destabilizing default, which the Treasury Department has warned could come as soon as June 1, but some areas of potential compromise emerged after a Tuesday White House meeting. Deep disagreements remained over competing pressures for spending cuts versus tax increases. Meanwhile, the White House reiterated its backing for legislation speeding government permitting of energy projects by setting maximum timelines. A White House fact sheet distributed on Wednesday said the administration "supports the important reforms" contained in a bill by Democratic Senator Joe Manchin. House and Senate Republicans, meanwhile, have said they will not authorize any additional borrowing without an agreement to cut spending.

Biden signaled an openness to Republicans' demand to claw back some unused money for COVID relief, which is less than $80 billion. House of Representatives Speaker McCarthy told reporters that Biden also indicated a willingness to work on speeding up permitting for energy projects, a goal that went unmet in 2022. "Default is not an option," Biden told reporters after Tuesday's meeting. House and Senate Republicans, meanwhile, have said they will not authorize any additional borrowing without an agreement to cut spending. The last time the nation got this close to default was in 2011 - also with a Democratic president and Senate with a Republican-led House.

☆ Biden, McCarthy aim to break US debt-ceiling standoff as default crisis looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( David Morgan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Analysts do not expect an immediate deal to avert a historic default, which the Treasury Department has warned could come as soon as June 1. Forecasters warn a default would likely send the U.S. economy into deep recession with soaring unemployment. Outside observers including people who have participated in past fiscal negotiations and business lobby groups have laid out a range of potential compromises largely revolving around extending the debt ceiling past the November 2024 presidential elections while freezing spending. But it is not catastrophic," Democratic Senator Chris Coons said, referring to past shutdowns, adding, "default would be catastrophic." Worries about the standoff have already started to weigh on financial markets, but a default would have a far more immediate effect on average Americans.

☆ Texas mall shooting prompts Biden to renew call for gun control
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( Maria Caspani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

REUTERS/Reuters TVMay 7 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday called on Congress to pass gun control bills in the wake of yet another mass shooting that left nine people dead, including the gunman, at a Texas mall on Saturday. The gunman killed eight people, including children, and wounded at least seven, before a police officer killed him, police said on Saturday. Some Twitter users said people and politicians needed to see videos like this one to grasp the magnitude and horrific nature of gun violence. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democrats stressed the need to pass stronger gun safety legislation to curtail gun violence. One unidentified eyewitness told local ABC affiliate WFAA TV that the gunman was "walking down the sidewalk just ... shooting his gun outside."

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