Debt ceiling talks 'still far apart' as Republicans balk at giving any concessions to Democrats

WASHINGTON − House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Republicans remain far apart with the White House on a deal to raise the debt ceiling and signaled his caucus won't make any policy concessions to Democrats other than action to avoid a first-ever default.

"There are a number of places that we're still far apart," McCarthy told reporters Wednesday. "I mean, it didn't seem like it would be this hard."

Negotiators for House Republicans and President Joe Biden met Wednesday afternoon at the White House to continue talks as a default looms as early as June 1 unless the debt ceiling is raised.

Republicans' top two negotiators, Reps. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina and Garret Graves of Louisiana, said Tuesday "the debt ceiling" is what Republicans are offering to get Democratic support for a legislative package with sweeping spending cuts.

"I'm willing to make America stronger to curb inflation, less dependency on China and spend less than we spent the year before," McCarthy said when asked what concessions Republicans are willing to make. "It's not my responsibility to represent the socialist wing of the Democratic Party."

White House: 'Preventing a catastrophic default is not a concession'

Talks between the White House and House Republicans have centered on Republicans' proposals for stricter work requirements for recipients of food stamps and other welfare benefits, annual caps on future discretionary spending, expedited permitting for oil and gas projects, and rescinding COVID-19 relief money.

The White House has signaled an openness to most of these areas, but not to the extent that Republicans want.

"Preventing a catastrophic default is not a concession. It's their job, period," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, adding that Republicans' proposed cuts to programs are "not at all what the American people want."

Biden has pushed for raising revenue in addition to cuts totaling more than $1 trillion. But McCarthy has said he is unwilling to consider tax proposals that Biden supports targeting the wealthiest Americans and corporations. The White House wants to roll back tax cuts passed in 2017 during the Trump presidency.

“I think we can make progress. I’m hoping we can make progress," McCarthy said. "I am not going to give up."

Republicans push to 'hold the line' in talks with White House

Biden and McCarthy met Monday at the White House in what both men described was a "productive" meeting.

But McCarthy is facing pressure from the right flank of his party not to give any ground. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, a key member of the House Freedom Caucus, urged Republicans in a Wednesday memo to stay unified and "hold the line" by sticking to their demands for spending cuts.

Rep. Margorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said most Republicans in Congress aren't even worried about a possible default.

"Here's what's happening in our conference. We're not sweating this at all," Greene said Wednesday on the streaming show hosted by former Donald Trump advisor Steve Bannon. "No one is freaking out. No one is concerned about this mystery date that Janet Yellen has thrown out like it's going to actually crash America."

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., told the online publication Semafor that most of his Republican colleagues "don't feel like we should negotiate with our hostage."

The White House, which has accused Republicans of holding the economy hostage, seized on the remarks. "They're now openly saying the quiet thing out loud," Jean Pierre said, "referring to the full faith and credit of the United States as a hostage."

Any deal reached by the White House and McCarthy faces a complicated path to passage. Several hardline conservative Republicans in the House have signaled they won't vote for a negotiated deal on the debt ceiling regardless of the details.

Because of the potential Republicans detractors, the White House believes more than 100 House Democrats might be needed to pass any debt-ceiling ceiling bill supported by Biden and McCarthy, according to a source familiar with talks.

"Let's not forget this. This agreement has to get the support of Democrats as well as Republicans," Jean-Pierre said.

Progressive Democrats in Congress have expressed concerns about getting behind legislation loaded with spending cuts they oppose.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., chair of the House Progressive Caucus, slammed "extreme Republican reckless" that she said will crash our economy. "None of this is normal and it shouldn't be treated as such," she said.

Reach Joey Garrison on Twitter @joeygarrison.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: McCarthy: 'Still far apart' on debt ceiling deal as default looms