Jean-Pierre gets defensive on Biden debt ceiling strategy, shifts blame to McCarthy

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Jean-Pierre gets defensive on Biden debt ceiling strategy, shifts blame to McCarthy

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Thursday blamed House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on the debt ceiling and would not agree to meet with him to negotiate.

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White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre got defensive with reporters Thursday when they suggested President Biden may be to blame for the lack of progress on avoiding a U.S. debt default.

A reporter pressed Jean-Pierre on the issue during a White House press briefing, pointing out that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy had produced a budget as requested, but the Biden administration has yet to make any moves.

"Is the president risking [the economy] and Congress by dragging out this process?" a reporter asked.

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"It's not the president that's risking this. It is Congress that is risking this," Jean-Pierre responded in a sharp tone. "These political stunts you're seeing from Speaker McCarthy and the MAGA wing – this is dangerous. These are political stunts that will have long-lasting effects."

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, Thursday, April 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

"This is something they can easily deal with immediately by putting a piece of legislation on the floor to deal with not defaulting," she added. "This is their constitutional duty. We should not have to negotiate on this."

"But doesn't everyone bear responsibility, including and especially the president?" the reporter pressed.

"The responsibility to make sure that we do not default – it sits in the hands of Congress," Jean-Pierre said.

White House Spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre got defensive with reporters during Thursday's briefing.

"But the president said, ‘Show me your budget.' He didn't say, ‘a budget that I agree with,’" the reporter continued, later adding, "Isn't the ball in the president's court?"

"I already answered the question . . . many many times," Jean-Pierre concluded. "This is a constitutional duty that Congress has, and Speaker McCarthy is playing games."

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McCarthy introduced his budget plan earlier this week, though Biden and Democrats have expressed major issues with the package.

President Biden's administration insists Republicans should agree to increase the debt ceiling as is, with no negotiations over any changes to budget policy. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

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Biden's administration insists Republicans should agree to increase the debt ceiling as is, with no negotiations over any changes to budget policy.