HIROSHIMA, Japan -- President Joe Biden brushed off noisy statements issued Saturday by both sides in the debt and spending talks gripping Washington, dismissing them as little more than the posturing typical of any negotiation and expressing confidence that he will still be able to strike a deal with Republicans to raise the debt ceiling.
Speaking on the sidelines of a summit meeting in Hiroshima, Biden told reporters that he was not worried about the debt talks back home. "Not at all," he said. He later added, "I still believe we'll be able to avoid a default and get something decent done."
Biden's comments came after a tumultuous battle carried out across the oceans.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy abruptly declared Friday a "pause" in talks aimed at raising the debt ceiling to avoid a national default while adopting ways to reduce the deficit, only to send his negotiators back to the table later in the day. But that session broke up after only an hour, and the White House then released a blistering statement accusing Republicans of sticking to "extreme MAGA priorities."
Negotiators for McCarthy said after the Friday evening session that they were uncertain on next steps.
"We reengaged, had a very, very candid discussion, talking about where we are, talking about where things need to be, what's reasonably acceptable," said Rep. Garret Graves, R-La.
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