White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre argued with a reporter Thursday, appearing frustrated when pressed about President Biden’s responsibilities concerning the process of agreeing on a budget with Congress.
During the daily press conference at the White House, Jean-Pierre interrupted NBC News’ Kristen Welker, as the latter suggested that Biden was putting the nation’s financial health at risk by delaying the budget process after Republicans announced their proposal in conjunction with the increase in the debt limit. “It is not the president who is taking the risk,” said Jean-Pierre, apparently angry. Welker tried to speak but Jean-Pierre raised his voice. “No. Congress is taking the risk,” he said.
“These political stunts you’re seeing from President [Kevin] McCarthy and the MAGA wing, this is dangerous. These are political tricks that will have lasting effects, as you just set out,” he said.
Jean-Pierre repeated his oft-used line of asking Republicans to introduce legislation to raise the debt ceiling and keep the nation from going bankrupt but added that it wasn’t a negotiation and shouldn’t be done with conditions. “But doesn’t everyone have a responsibility, including and above all the president?” Welker asked.
“The responsibility to make sure we don’t violate? It is in the hands of Congress. And right now it’s President McCarthy and the MAGA wing of the Republican conference. It’s up to them to do it. They are wasting time. And I have already explained what they have proposed, how much it will hurt American families trying to make ends meet,” Jean-Pierre replied.
Welker quoted one of Biden’s budget quotes, telling Jean-Pierre, “The president said, ‘Show me your budget.’ He didn’t say, ‘Show me a budget I agree with.” She tried to continue but was again interrupted by Jean-Pierre. “Well, you have to finish, you have to finish the statement. He said, well, you have to finish what he said,” she said as Welker kept trying to ask a question. “The statement he made, his quote is, ‘Show me your budget and I’ll show you how much you appreciate it.’ That’s what the president said. And looking at this plan, looking at the plan, they’re showing us their worth.”.
“I guess the question is, isn’t the ball in the president’s court?” Welker asked. “I’ve already answered the question, Kristen, many, many times,” said Jean-Pierre. “This is a constitutional duty of Congress, and President McCarthy is playing. You are wasting the American people’s time. This is a political stunt and he has to act. He has to act. And what he showed us yesterday: he sided with the MAGA wing of the party.”
House Republicans have indicated they will have a debt limit bill ready next week, but the details are not yet clear. McCarthy revealed on Monday that the legislation will aim to raise the debt ceiling for one year while limiting discretionary spending to the fiscal year 2022 levels.
