White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a written statement that Biden will return to the United States on Sunday “to attend meetings with Congressional leaders to ensure that Congress takes action by the deadline to avoid default” following the conclusion of the G7 Summit.
Stating that Biden discussed the cancellation of his visit with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today, Jean-Pierre stated that the President also invited him to an official state visit to Albanese.
Jean-Pierre reported that Biden also met with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape in this context.
“The President has made it clear, as has happened 78 times before, that members of Congress from both parties and the House and Senate must come together to avoid default.” Jean-Pierre said that Biden will continue to work with Congress leaders on a budget agreement.
Jean-Pierre emphasized that reviving alliances and advancing partnerships like the Quad will remain a key priority for Biden, noting that this is vital to his foreign policy goals.
“We look forward to finding other ways to engage with the leaders of Australia, Quad, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands Forum in the coming year,” the spokesperson said in a statement. made his statement.
It was announced that Biden will visit Papua New Guinea as he passes from the G7 Leaders’ Summit to be held in Hiroshima, Japan on May 19-21, to the Quadruple Leaders’ Summit (Quad) to be held in Sydney, Australia on May 24.
DEBT LIMIT DIFFERENCE
In the US, the federal government has reached the $31.4 trillion debt limit that could lead to default.
The debt limit, or debt ceiling, means “the upper limit on the amount of money the U.S. government can borrow to pay off its debts.”
Republicans, who hold a majority in the House of Representatives, are in favor of significant spending cuts in debt-limit negotiations. Democrats insist on increasing the debt limit and reject Republican proposals to cut certain spending.
US President Joe Biden met with Congressional leaders today to discuss the debt limit issue. After the meeting, the White House said Biden was optimistic about a bipartisan budget agreement. (AA)