Biden touts bipartisanship in Oval Office speech on debt ceiling deal

In his first address from the Oval Office, President Joe Biden on Friday night commended House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on the bipartisan budget and debt ceiling agreement passed by Congress this week.

The 12-minute speech centered on how the bipartisan effort “averted economic crisis,” with a prominent nod to Republican negotiators led by McCarthy, R-Calif.

“Our teams we were able to get along, get things done, were straightforward with one another, completely honest with one another, respectful with one another. Both sides operated in good faith. Both sides kept their word,” Biden said of the bill that will cut spending and extend the debt ceiling for two years.

He also extended commendations to other congressional leaders in both parties, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

“Passing this budget agreement was critical. The stakes could not have been higher,” Biden said.

“No one got everything they wanted but the American people got what they needed. We averted an economic crisis and an economic collapse.”

 
 
 
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Article URL : https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/watch-biden-debt-ceiling-latest-speech-rcna87407