White House economists on Wednesday warned of “serious damage” to the US economy in the event of a default, warning that a prolonged default could cause 8.3 million job losses and the stock market to plummet by 45 percent, leading to to ‘an immediate, sharp recession’. at the behest of the Great Recession.”
Republicans are pushing for the Biden administration to agree to spending cuts and rolling back climate change policies. Biden insists that’s not on the table.
“MAGA House Republicans voted on an extreme proposal to limit surveillance of wealthy tax evaders, save billions in Big Oil giveaways, and raise everyday expenses for hard-working Americans footing the bill,” the tweet tweeted. president Wednesday.
“It really shows who they value.”
On Tuesday, he accused hardline Republicans of “holding the American economy hostage.”
Joe Biden is seen with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on March 17. The pair exchange barbs about impending bankruptcy. They will meet on May 9
“MAGA House Republicans have presented us with two options: cut spending – from veterans to food programs – by 22 percent. Or they won’t pay our national debt,” he tweeted.
“This is what taking the American economy hostage looks like.”
Senate Republicans pushed back, accusing Biden of being unwilling to negotiate.
Americans are tired of federal spending. Democrats have no solutions and refuse to come to the table. It’s just unfair and irresponsible.’
The exchange of insults came as a new report from the Council of Economic Advisers found that even less severe scenarios than a protracted bankruptcy would hamper the US economy, evidence that the political confrontation over the debt limit comes at a large financial cost.
Without a deal between Congress and the White House, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned that the federal government will not have the accounting tools to continue borrowing and may default as early as June 1.
Janet Yellen, the finance minister, has warned that a deal must be reached by June 1
The first and most dangerous scenario is a ‘prolonged default’.
The second is a “short default” where Congress acts quickly to allow the nation to borrow again after defaulting.
The third is “brinkmanship,” where legislators assume the full trust and credit of the country, but avoid default.
All three would hurt the economy, the experts said.
President Joe Biden is meeting with congressional leaders on May 9 to try to find a way to resolve the impending crisis.
House Republicans are pushing for spending cuts as part of any plan to allow the country to resume borrowing.
Biden says he will not allow the country to be “hostage” to such demands and will only negotiate spending with the GOP as part of the budget process.
The president and Democratic lawmakers are pushing for a “clean” increase in the country’s $31.4 trillion debt limit.
A spokesman for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy sent an email Wednesday blaming Democrats for the deadlock.
“There is no good reason other than political malpractice for the US to default on its debts,” McCarthy spokesman Chad Gilmartin wrote.
“Enough income is coming in to pay the interest on the debt.”
McCarthy is photographed in Israel on Monday with his Israeli counterpart in Shagall Hall in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament
That statement views default as relating solely to federal loans, but state officials warn that missed payments to contractors, Social Security recipients, federal employees and others would also constitute a default.
The White House analysis warned that a prolonged bankruptcy could cost more than 8 million jobs in the third quarter of 2023, raising the prospect of “an immediate, sharp recession on the order of the Great Recession.”
The report said that the government, unable to borrow money, would lack the traditional tools it uses to mitigate the impact of economic downturns, namely economic stimulus and social support.
“Because the administration would be unable to take countercyclical measures in a break-induced recession, there would be limited policy options to help cushion the impact on households and businesses,” the White House said.
“The ability of households and businesses, especially small businesses, to borrow through the private sector to offset this economic pain would also be compromised.”
A brief absence would also cause damage with 500,000 fewer jobs.
Even the “brinkmanship” approach, in which lawmakers strike a deal at the eleventh hour, could cost about 200,000 jobs and shave 0.3 percent of annual gross domestic product, according to the analysis.
There are already signs of market stress from the showdown as US Treasury default insurance costs have risen.
The US economy is also in a fragile state as the Federal Reserve’s efforts to lower inflation have fueled recession concerns.