McCarthy slams Biden’s ‘seriousness’ during debt talks: ‘Seems like they want a default’

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said Thursday that President Biden lacks “seriousness” in negotiating with Republicans about raising the federal debt ceiling, calling the matter another “ignored” priority by the president.

“It seems like they want a default more than they want a deal,” McCarthy, 58, told reporters at a Capitol Hill press conference.

The Republican House leader added that staff members from both Congress and the White House are engaged in talks but that Biden has not taken part since meeting with McCarthy, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) for around an hour on Tuesday.

Following that meeting, the leaders had said another one would take place Friday, but that has been postponed.

“I don’t think there’s enough progress for the leaders to get back together,” McCarthy said. “I don’t know [if] having certain ones in the room, that it’s even productive.