Republicans, Biden reach debt ceiling deal

WASHINGTON - Top Republican leader Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden announced a deal to raise the debt ceiling, dragging the United States from the precipice of default with only a few days left to go.

Congress will vote on the deal to extend the government borrowing authority on Wednesday, just shy of the June 5 "X-date" when the Treasury estimates the government will no longer be able to pay its bills, plunging the world's biggest economy into turmoil.

"After weeks of negotiations we have come to an agreement in principle," McCarthy, the speaker of the Republican-held House of Representatives, said.

McCarthy, who spoke with Biden on Saturday to close the deal, said he would consult again with the president Sunday and oversee final drafting of the bill. The House will "then be voting on it on Wednesday."

Biden said in his own statement that the deal was "good news for the American people, because it prevents what could have been a catastrophic default and would have led to an economic recession, retirement accounts devastated, and millions of jobs lost."

Despite the breakthrough, McCarthy cautioned there was "still a lot of work to do" in getting Congress to give its backing.

- 'Compromise' -

Raising the debt ceiling -- a legal manoeuvre that takes place most years without drama -- allows the government to keep borrowing money and remain solvent.

This year, Republicans demanded deep spending cuts -- largely in social spending for the poor -- in return for raising the debt ceiling, saying the time had come for bitter medicine to address the country's mammoth $31-trillion debt.

Biden argued that he would not negotiate over spending issues as a condition for raising the debt ceiling, accusing the Republicans of taking the economy hostage.

Both sides have now somewhat climbed down.

According to US media reports, the outline of the deal includes freeing up the debt ceiling for two years, meaning there will be no need for negotiations in 2024, when the nation is in full presidential election swing.

The big spending cuts Republicans wanted are not there, according to reports, but effectively a budget freeze will take effect. There will also be tougher rules on accessing unemployment benefits and other federal assistance.

Biden said "the agreement represents a compromise, which means not everyone gets what they want. That’s the responsibility of governing."