Wednesday saw what appeared to be signs of a breakthrough in negotiations between President Biden and congressional Republicans on lifting the debt ceiling and preventing default on the national debt. While reporting on that news, ABC’s World News Tonight senior White House correspondent Mary Bruce sought to remind viewers at home that Republicans were “demanding steep spending cuts” in exchange for raising the debt ceiling.
“In exchange for agreeing to raise the debt limit and pay off the nation’s bills, Republicans are demanding steep spending cuts,” Bruce insisted.
To be clear, there were no “steep spending cuts” on the table. At best, there’s a proposal to slow the rate of yearly increased spending. But there was no plan by congressional Republicans to cut spending where the federal government would spend less than the year prior.
After moving on from that scare tactic, Bruce reported on a proposal by House Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy to enact “tougher work requirements for federal aid programs.”
“Today the President acknowledged it’s on the table while downplaying its significance,” Bruce added.
Over on NBC Nightly News, White House correspondent Kristen Welker didn’t update viewers with any of the day’s details. She simply decided to act as Biden’s stenographer and relay to viewers how dangerous it would be if the United States defaulted.
“President Biden projecting optimism with just 15 days to reach a deal to raise the debt limit or risk economic calamity. While still in Washington, the President said he's confident the country won't default calling a meeting with top congressional leaders this week productive,” Welker reported.
Adding: “The President has cut short part of this critical diplomatic trip to deal with the crisis but despite that Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy blasting Mr. Biden this afternoon for going overseas at all before a deal is done.”
This coverage of the ongoing debt ceiling negotiations were made possible by Ensure on ABC, and Liberty Mutual on NBC. Their information is linked.
To read the transcripts click “expand”:
ABC’s World News Tonight
5/17/2023
6:41:57 p.m. EasternDAVID MUIR: Now to President Biden, and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy both signaling they may be getting closer to a deal to raise the debt ceiling and the President tonight on a key Republican demand. Mary Bruce at the White House.
MARY BRUCE: Embarking on his trip to Japan for the G7 summit, President Biden today tried to reassure America and the world that the U.S. is not going to default on its debt and put the global economy at risk.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: I am confident that we will get the agreement on the budget and America will not default.
BRUCE: In exchange for agreeing to raise the debt limit and pay off the nation’s bills, Republicans are demanding steep spending cuts and something Speaker Kevin McCarthy has called a red line. Tougher work requirements for federal aid programs. Today the President acknowledged it’s on the table while downplaying its significance.
BIDEN: I voted years ago for the work requirement that exist but it's possible there could be a few others, but not anything of any consequence.
BRUCE: Asked about that comment, Republicans burst out laughing.
SPEAKER KEVIN MCCARTHY: Anything that has consequence, this is a Senator who voted for work requirements.
BRUCE: The one area of solid agreement, both sides want to prevent default which could lead to the loss of millions of jobs and tank the economy and spark a recession. Tonight White House and congressional aides are hunkered down trying to hammer out a deal. The President will be back here on Sunday. He’s cutting his trip short he says so that he can be here for the final negotiations and to sign that deal, David?
NBC Nightly News
5/17/2023
6:40:31 p.m. EasternLESTER HOLT: President Biden is heading to Asia tonight for the G7 summit as the U.S. inches closer to a critical default deadline. Kristen Welker is in Hiroshima. Kristen, the President with a clear message before leaving today.
KRISTEN WELKER: Lester, that's right. President Biden projecting optimism with just 15 days to reach a deal to raise the debt limit or risk economic calamity. While still in Washington, the President said he's confident the country won't default calling a meeting with top congressional leaders this week productive. The President has cut short part of this critical diplomatic trip to deal with the crisis but despite that Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy blasting Mr. Biden this afternoon for going overseas at all before a deal is done. Lester?
