House Speaker McCarthy Declares Cuts to Medicare and Social Security “Off the Table” Ahead of Meeting with President Biden

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has declared that cuts to Medicare and Social Security are “off the table” as his party seeks to win a concession from the Biden administration in exchange for raising the debt limit. McCarthy made the statement on Sunday during an interview on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” in response to questions about whether he was considering any reductions to Social Security and Medicare.

This follows months of Republican indications that they would take the debt limit hostage until spending cuts are made to the government budget, and after some Republicans have indicated Medicare and Social Security are prime choices for the chopping block. McCarthy is set to meet with President Joe Biden on Wednesday to discuss the debt limit.

Biden, asked by CNN what his message to McCarthy would be in that meeting, said it would be “show me your budget and I’ll show you mine.” His response has drawn skepticism from McCarthy, who has maintained that cuts to Medicare and Social Security are not on the table in exchange for a debt ceiling increase.

The upcoming meeting between McCarthy and Biden is seen as a critical moment in the fight to raise the debt limit. It is expected that both sides will use the meeting to shape their positions and send political messaging in the months ahead.

The outcome of the meeting could have a major impact on the future of the debt limit and the government budget. It remains to be seen whether McCarthy and Biden will be able to reach an agreement that avoids cuts to Medicare and Social Security.