As negotiations on the debt ceiling continue to stagnate, a deepening divide within the Democratic Party threatens to derail any progress.
While House Speaker Kevin McCarthy blames President Biden for the lack of movement, it is the progressive members of the party who are exerting significant pressure.
Dubbed as “The Squad,” progressive Democrats like Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are adamant that Biden must not compromise on their core values.
Issues such as clean energy reform and welfare work requirements have become non-negotiable for them. They argue that any concessions to Republicans would weaken the president’s stance and tarnish the image of the Democratic Party.
On the other hand, Republicans are pushing for fiscal responsibility and spending cuts as prerequisites for raising the debt ceiling. They argue that such measures are necessary to ensure long-term economic stability and prevent excessive government borrowing.
Amidst this impasse, there have been discussions among progressives about utilizing the 14th Amendment as a potential workaround to bypass spending cuts and raise the debt ceiling unilaterally.
However, constitutional law experts have expressed doubts about the practicality and legality of this approach.
The deepening divide within the Democratic Party on the debt ceiling issue poses a significant challenge for President Biden.
He must find a way to bridge the gap between progressive and moderate Democrats, while also engaging in meaningful negotiations with Republicans.
The stakes are high, as failure to reach a consensus could have severe consequences for the nation’s economy and the political landscape.
It remains to be seen whether President Biden can navigate this intricate web of competing interests and ideologies. The future of the debt ceiling negotiations hangs in the balance, and the repercussions will reverberate throughout the country.
Source Fox News