Biden Confident Agreement Will Be Reached to Raise Nation’s Debt Ceiling Before Deadline

President Joe Biden expressed confidence Wednesday that a deal will be reached to raise the nation’s debt ceiling before the deadline, during a speech at the White House before departing for a meeting of world leaders in Japan.

Biden said the talks with congressional leaders have been “civil and respectful,” and that he is confident an agreement will be reached. He also noted that he is not negotiating to raise the debt ceiling, but rather to discuss spending.

“I’m confident that we’ll get the agreement on the budget, that America will not default,” Biden said.

When asked about potential sticking points in the negotiations, such as work requirements for federal aid programs, Biden said he would not accept anything that would “undermine the core values of the country.” He also said that all parties had come to the table in good faith.

The president is cutting his trip to Japan short in order to address the debt ceiling issue. He said he believes an agreement can be reached because “there is no alternative.”

The deadline to reach an agreement is fast approaching, and Biden is hopeful that a deal can be reached before then. He said he is confident that the U.S. “will not default” on its debt.