McCarthy rejects short-term debt limit deal to prevent default

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Tuesday eschewed the idea of passing a short-term package to increase the debt limit and avoid a national default, insisting that congressional leaders and the White House ought to aim for a long-term solution.

"We shouldn’t kick the vote," he told reporters. "Why kick the can down the road? Let’s solve it now."

McCarthy made the remarks ahead of a planned meeting with President Joe Biden and other congressional leaders to discuss a resolution to the debt standoff. The pair have not met in person on the matter since February.

Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young earlier this month suggested that such a short-term plan was not "off the table," but derided the current standoff as "made up drama" stemming from "political brinksmanship."

Republicans have advocated for matching any increase to the debt limit with limits on domestic spending in a bid to address the mounting national debt. The GOP-dominated House passed a plan to that effect in late April, though Biden has vowed to veto it should it reach his desk.

Democrats, meanwhile, seek a clean increase to the debt limit with no conditions. The nation hits its $31.38 trillion debt ceiling in January, prompting Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to implement "extraordinary measures" to pay the government's bills.

She has since warned Congress that the government must reach a solution by June 1 or risk default.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.