White House pressed on Biden refusing to speak publicly ahead of shutdown
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The White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, faced tough questions from reporters on Friday regarding President Biden’s lack of public appearances amid the ongoing government funding fight as a partial shutdown looms. Despite the pressure, Jean-Pierre refused to answer why the president has not addressed the American public about his position and instead shifted the blame to Republicans, President-elect Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and their “billionaire friends” like Elon Musk for the chaos on Capitol Hill.
When asked why President Biden has not spoken publicly about the issue, Jean-Pierre deflected the question by emphasizing that Republicans are to blame for the current situation and have created the mess that the government is facing. She highlighted that the president has been in contact with Democratic leaders in Congress, such as Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, but did not disclose whether he had spoken to House Speaker Mike Johnson about the ongoing discussions.
Despite efforts to pass a streamlined version of a spending bill backed by Trump to avert a partial government shutdown, the bill failed to garner enough support in the House of Representatives. The bill’s failure has raised concerns about the growing national debt, which has surpassed $36 trillion, and the national deficit, which stands at over $1.8 trillion.
Jean-Pierre criticized Republicans for going back on their word and causing the deal to fall apart, accusing them of playing politics with a government shutdown and prioritizing the interests of their wealthy allies over hard-working Americans. She suggested that Republicans were influenced by Elon Musk and President-elect Trump in their decision-making, leading to the rejection of the spending bill.
Reporters attempted to press Jean-Pierre on President Biden’s role in the negotiations, but she reiterated that the president is leading by urging Congress to prioritize the American people over political gamesmanship. She warned that a shutdown could disrupt the presidential transition process for the incoming administration, limiting certain activities unless they are essential for protecting life or property.
In response to the looming shutdown, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise expressed confidence in the Republican Party’s plan to avoid a government shutdown. Rep. Stephanie Bice echoed Scalise’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of reaching a mutual agreement and working together to prevent a shutdown.
As the situation unfolds, it is crucial for lawmakers to prioritize the needs of the American people and work towards a resolution that avoids a government shutdown. The ongoing negotiations underscore the importance of bipartisan cooperation and putting the interests of the nation above political differences.
