McCarthy says Sanders is in charge of debt ceiling talks: ‘He’s the boss.’

House Speaker Accuses Bernie Sanders of Influencing Biden in Debt Ceiling Negotiations

McCarthy Doubles Down on Claims

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has accused Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) of having an outsize influence over President Joe Biden during debt ceiling negotiations. McCarthy doubled down on his comments, claiming that Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) had a “real effect” on Biden in these negotiations.

During an appearance on Fox News’s Sunday Morning Futures, McCarthy pointed to a press conference from Sanders as the definitive moment when negotiations on the debt ceiling reversed. “He really wags the dog,” McCarthy answered when asked if Sanders was the one leading the shift in the White House’s debt ceiling negotiations. “I mean, when Bernie Sanders or AOC says something, the White House shifts the other way.”

Press Conference Shifts Biden’s Willingness to Negotiate

The press conference that McCarthy believed shifted Biden’s willingness to negotiate was a Friday press conference of Democratic Senators led by Sanders, during which he said that accepting Republican demands to make spending cuts would cause “incalculable harm.” “Yesterday, Senators stood together to urge President Biden not to cave to Republican demands to make cuts that would cause incalculable harm to the American people. Instead, we believe he should prepare to use the 14th Amendment,” Sanders said.

McCarthy Repeats Sentiment

The house speaker repeated his sentiment at the Capitol on Sunday while speaking with reporters. “The president keeps changing positions; every time Bernie Sanders has a press conference, he gets reactive, and he shifts,” McCarthy said. “He’s got to get away from the socialist wing of the Democratic party and represent America; that means both sides have to have compromise,” he added.

Wider Frustrations with Negotiations

The California Republican also expressed wider frustrations with negotiations, saying that the president’s constant shifting was harming negotiations. “Waiting those 97 days and now changing positions every day, that’s not productive,” he said.

Conclusion

It remains to be seen how these negotiations will play out, but it is clear that McCarthy and Sanders have very different views on how to handle the debt ceiling. As always, compromise will be key in finding a solution that works for all parties involved.

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