Shalanda Young, Biden’s debt limit negotiator, commends McCarthy’s professionalism following agreement.

OMB Director Shalanda Young Praises House Speaker Kevin McCarthy for Professionalism in Debt Ceiling Negotiations

“I didn’t know him personally. I know him a little better now after this process. And it was a very professional working relationship with him and his team. I got a lot of day care drop-off time with [House Financial Services Committee] Chairman Patrick McHenry [R-NC]. It’s always good to have parents with small children who know your pain in that room.”

Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young, one of President Joe Biden’s chief negotiators on the debt ceiling deal with House Republicans, had high praise for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and his team on Sunday. Young was one of three lead negotiators on behalf of Biden in the talks, which produced the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

The bill, which passed both chambers of Congress this week before being signed into law on Saturday, contained wins and losses for both sides that led to bipartisan defections. Spending cuts were derided as too modest by some House Republicans and too extreme by other House Democrats. On the Senate side, members from both parties were outraged over the defense spending rates being out of step with inflation.

Bipartisan Praise for Averting Debt Default

Despite the challenges, Young and her fellow negotiators received bipartisan praise for averting a debt default before the June 5 “X-date” deadline. McCarthy and McHenry, who was one of McCarthy’s two lead negotiators in the talks, have also spoken highly of Young in the month since discussions entered their final stretch.

“Everybody in this place knows her, respects her greatly,” McCarthy told reporters in early May.

“[Biden] sent warriors up here on behalf of his administration,” McHenry said late last month at a press gaggle after referencing Young by name. “That’s who he sent up. That’s who we’re negotiating with. They’re a highly credible team, they’re a tough negotiating team, these are tough discussions that we’re having. But they’re honest. We’re honest with each other.”

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Young’s positive comments about McCarthy’s professionalism in the negotiations are a testament to the importance of working relationships in politics. Despite their differences, both sides were able to come together and reach a compromise that prevented a potentially disastrous debt default. It’s a reminder that even in the most contentious of situations, professionalism and respect can go a long way towards achieving a common goal.

• Spending cuts were derided as too modest by some House Republicans and too extreme by other House Democrats.
• On the Senate side, members from both parties were outraged over the defense spending rates being out of step with inflation.
• Despite the challenges, Young and her fellow negotiators received bipartisan praise for averting a debt default before the June 5 “X-date” deadline.

Overall, the debt ceiling negotiations were a difficult but ultimately successful process. With the Fiscal Responsibility Act now signed into law, both sides can claim some victories and move forward with a renewed sense of cooperation and respect.

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