Free Trial

WH Presser Top Of The Hour - Questions Over Biden "Debt-Ceiling" Comments

US

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre is scheduled to provide a press gaggle aboard Air Force One in approximately 45 mins.

  • Livestream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x-jtljxrS8&featur...
  • President Biden delivered remarks from the White House a short time ago criticising Republican plans to use debt-ceiling negotiation to extract concessions on social security and Medicare.
  • Biden responded to a press question saying it would "irresponsible" to permanently repeal the federal debt ceiling.
  • Jeff Stein of WaPo, among others, have pointed out that this comment appears to contradict the view of his Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen.
  • Yellen told a House hearing in September last year, “yes, I would” [back an effort to repeal the debt-ceiling].
  • Yellen: “If to finance those spending and tax decisions, it’s necessary to issue additional debt, I believe it’s very disruptive to put the president and myself, the Treasury secretary, in a situation where we might be unable to pay the bills that result from those past decisions.”
  • Jean-Pierre may seek to clarify Biden's comments as they could fuel further speculation of tension between Biden and his cabinet.

To read the full story

Close

Why MNI

MNI is the leading provider

of intelligence and analysis on the Global Fixed Income, Foreign Exchange and Energy markets. We use an innovative combination of real-time analysis, deep fundamental research and journalism to provide unique and actionable insights for traders and investors. Our "All signal, no noise" approach drives an intelligence service that is succinct and timely, which is highly regarded by our time constrained client base.

Our Head Office is in London with offices in Chicago, Washington and Beijing, as well as an on the ground presence in other major financial centres across the world.