Biden hopes for evidence tonight 'before the clock strikes 12' that he has a ... trends now
President Joe Biden said he was 'optimistic' of a deal that could avert a U.S. default as he left Washington for Camp David hoping for a signal of progress within hours.
'I hope we’ll have some clear evidence tonight before the clock strikes 12 that we have a deal,' Biden told reporters as he left town at the start of the Memorial Day Weekend.
He spoke hours after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the nation would likely hit the 'X' default deadline June 5 unless Congress is able to act.
Biden said negotiators were 'very close' but declared himself 'optimistic.'
'I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to know tonight whether we are going to be able to have a deal,' he said.
'I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to know tonight whether we are going to be able to have a deal,' President Joe Biden said Friday as he left town for Camp David amid talks on the budget with Republicans that he hopes will avoid a potential U.S. default within days
The White House has been taking heat, including from Democratic House members, for Biden's decision to leave town amid the high-stakes talks that could have the U.S. failing to make good on his debts.
He said he was flying to Camp David 'because my granddaughter graduates on Sunday.'
Even with the high stakes global finances on the line, Biden spoke about some other logistics behind his decision. He said the Secret Service 'is working on my house' and there's 'no place to go at home for five weeks.' He has previously spoken about bullet proof windows being installed at his Wilmington home.
Biden didn't otherwise speak on the standoff publicly Friday, although at one of his events, where he hosted the Louisiana State University women's basketball champs, Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.), one of McCarty's top negotiators, was in attendance. Biden negotiator OMB head Shalanda Young was also there.
Susan Rice (r), who is stepping down as Biden's domestic policy advisor, joined other staff on the Truman Balcony as Biden departed
Biden spoke at the start the Memorial Day weekend
Earlier, Speaker Kevin McCarthy said he believed 'progress' was made in debt talks overnight, though the two sides still remain hung up on the biggest
