Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said lawmakers could start negotiating on the U.S. debt and spending soon, but not before Republicans commit to increasing the U.S. debt limit to avoid a default on its existing debt obligations.
Sanders discussed the U.S. national debt and an ongoing debate over raising the debt limit during an interview with CNN on Sunday. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives 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.
Thus far, President Joe Biden has called for a “clean” debt limit increase, requesting that lawmakers make room for new debt without imposing any new conditions on spending. The Biden administration has repeatedly compared the Republican stance on the debt to a hostage situation, saying it is their demands that place the U.S. at risk of defaulting on a debt payment….