Efforts to Pass Debt-Ceiling Deal Intensify Amid Criticism and Uncertainty

The U.S. administration and congressional Republican leaders stepped up efforts to persuade lawmakers to gain support for a bill containing an agreement to avoid a U.S. default. Meanwhile, environmentalists, defense-minded and conservative hardliners have criticized the compromised deal.

President Biden personally called lawmakers to support the bill, and Cabinet members and senior White House staff called at least 60 House Democrats by early Monday morning, according to Democratic sources.

President Biden told reporters on the 29th, “I can never say that I am confident about the future move of Congress, but I have a pretty good feeling,” he said. I also talked to Mr. McConnell. I talked to a lot of people. It feels good. We’ll know when the polls start.”

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Both the president and House Speaker McCarthy (Republican) expressed confidence in securing the votes needed to pass the bill. Moderate and pragmatic lawmakers from both parties expressed early support for the deal.

news-rsf-original-reference paywall">Original title:Biden, McCarthy Work Lawmakers to Pass Deal as US Default Looms(excerpt)