Bernie Sanders Says ‘We Can Start Negotiating Tomorrow’ on Debt, Blames GOP for Impasse

Ryan MorganMay 1, 2023

Bernie Sanders: Republicans Must Commit to Increasing U.S. Debt Limit Before Negotiations

The U.S. national debt and the ongoing debate over raising the debt limit have been hot topics in recent weeks. In an interview with CNN on Sunday, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) discussed the issue and stated that negotiations could start soon, but only if Republicans commit to increasing the U.S. debt limit to avoid a default on its existing debt obligations.

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives recently passed a bill that offers to raise the debt by about $1.5 trillion while instituting provisions that are intended to reduce federal spending by about $4.5 trillion over the next decade. President Joe Biden, on the other hand, has called for a “clean” debt limit increase, requesting that lawmakers make room for new debt without imposing any new conditions on spending.

Throughout the interview, Sanders tried to separate the issue of raising the debt limit from the issue of reforming government spending. He stated that negotiations could start soon, but echoed the Biden administration’s rhetoric that the Republicans have taken the economy hostage.

Democratic Split on Debt Negotiations

Several Democratic lawmakers have called on Biden to negotiate with Republicans about debt policy. Like Sanders, some of those Democrats have sought to separate a debt limit increase from debt and spending reform negotiations. However, Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is one Democrat who has not sought to separate a debt limit increase from a negotiation over debt and spending reforms.

“While it is reasonable to sincerely disagree with any specific debt ceiling approach, we will achieve a historic default, and the economic whirlwind which follows, if President Biden continues to refuse to even negotiate a reasonable and commonsense compromise,” Manchin said in an April 20 press statement. “For the sake of the country, I urge President Biden to come to the table, propose a plan for real and substantive spending cuts and deficit reduction, and negotiate.”

It remains to be seen how negotiations will play out, but one thing is clear: the U.S. debt and spending are complex issues that require careful consideration and bipartisan cooperation.