Scalise Accuses Biden Of ‘Trying To Run Out The Clock And Create A Debt Crisis’

During a Sunday appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) argued that President Joe Biden is refusing to negotiate with Republicans over the debt ceiling because he is “clearly trying to run out the clock and create a debt crisis.”

Scalise blasted Biden over the issue, stating that he needs to start negotiating with Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to discuss the debt ceiling. While Republicans demand that the federal government cut some wasteful spending in return for raising the debt ceiling, Biden and the Democrats want to raise the debt ceiling without any conditions. The president has repeatedly refused to even meet with McCarthy to discuss the matter.

“The White House needs to ultimately get into this negotiation,” Scalise told ABC anchor Martha Raddatz. “The president’s been in hiding for two months, Martha. That’s not acceptable to Americans. They expect the president to sit in a room with Speaker McCarthy and start negotiating, not hiding.”

Earlier this month, the Republican-controlled House passed the “Limit, Save, Grow Act” — which would raise the debt ceiling through early 2024 while also saving the federal government roughly $4.8 trillion over the next ten years.

The legislation has little-to-no chance of passing through the Democrat-controlled Senate or being approved by the Democrat president, but it is seen as the GOP’s opening offer on the matter.

Raddatz asked Scalise whether he’d be willing to let the United States default on its debt rather than agree to Biden’s demand to raise the debt ceiling without conditions.

“We just passed a bill that addresses the debt ceiling,” the Republican congressman said. “And for all that we hear from our Senate friends, Martha, they’ve yet to pass anything. If they got a better idea, I want to see that bill and tell them to pass it through the Senate. We just passed the bill through the House, and we’ve been very vocal.”

Scalise went on to accuse Biden of “clearly trying to run out the clock and create a debt crisis” by not negotiating with McCarthy — as the U.S. could risk default by June if the debt ceiling isn’t raised.

“That’s irresponsible,” he added. “Republicans at least said if the president is going to sit this one out, we’re not. We’re going to lead. We passed a bill to address the problem. It’s time now for the president to get in this game, get off the sidelines and let’s start negotiating and figuring this out — not in June when we get into the midnight hour, but today.”

Earlier this month, McCarthy accused the president of being “afraid” to negotiate — while Biden has stated that he is “happy” to meet with the Republican House Speaker, but “not on whether or not the debt limit gets extended” because “that’s not negotiable.”