The debt ceiling is capturing attention nationwide, because the U.S. is facing a historic default in June.

Before the country hit crunch time according to economic experts, President Joe Biden’s White House said they wouldn’t give the GOP the negotiation nod.

But now, they’re forced to backtrack — and it’s a significant victory for Republicans.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre made it plain previously: “We are not negotiating on this; we’ve been very clear on this.”

However, Biden and Democrats were reportedly taken aback when House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (CA) got the GOP debt limit bill passed.

Jean-Pierre called it “a recipe for economic disaster,” but it passed. And Biden must react (via Breitbart):

President Joe Biden on Monday finally requested that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) negotiate the debt limit during a meeting to be held on May 9 to avoid default, a move that contradicted the White House’s previous official position.

Punchbowl News reports that Biden gave McCarthy a call to schedule a negotiation meeting, so that runs counter to what Jean-Pierre just said this week.

Biden is obviously surprised by McCarthy’s unexpected victory, and he’s reacting to the passing of that critical bill.

At the same time, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-CA) confirmed hearings on the House bill, as they seek to condemn the proposal.

To many, it’s another example of Washington being completely at odds, with the two sides totally unable to work with each other.

When we start talking about defaulting on a national level, though, the two sides will have to talk.

That being said, as more time passes, it will become clearer that Republicans and Democrats have virtually nothing in common, and major difficulties will persist in D.C.

Key Takeaways:

• The White House first said they wouldn’t negotiate with Republicans on the debt limit.
• But President Joe Biden just contacted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and requested a meeting to negotiate.
• This comes directly after the House passed an important debt limit plan.

Source: Breitbart