The White House on Thursday fired back at a GOP leader who they accused of promoting a debt-limit default for political advantage.
A White House spokesperson issued a statement describing the efforts to play politics with potential economic catastrophe as “appalling and revealing.”
Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates issued the statement after Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel on Wednesday during an appearance on Fox News suggested that the debt ceiling debate “bodes very well” for the GOP.
“This is a president that is failing the American people,” McDaniel said. “So I think that bodes very well for the Republican field.”
The White House statement accused McDaniel of trying to score “the cheapest political points imaginable” at the expense of the American economy.
“Ronna McDaniel just told the American people that that causing unemployment, bankruptcies, and the obliteration of retirement dreams is worth scoring the cheapest political points imaginable; that she’s willing to sell our future out to China in the name of self-serving political greed. This comes immediately after extreme MAGA Republicans in the House bragged about taking the American economy ‘hostage,’” the statement said.
McDaniel’s comments come amid tense negotiations between President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Ca.), who are trying to reach a June 1 deadline to avert a default, according to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s most recent estimate.
“It is appalling and revealing to, for perceived political benefit, support triggering an unprecedented economic downturn that would kill 8 million jobs, send retirement accounts into a tailspin, jeopardize Social Security, help China overtake us in the global economy, and throw our military under the bus,” the White House statement said.
IN OTHER NEWS: 'He's a danger to our democracy': former national security official slams Oath Keepers founder
“Regardless of how liberal or conservative leaders are, their highest priorities must be protecting America’s national security and the livelihoods of American families. They have a duty to never undermine either for any reason. These horrifying remarks explicitly wish an historic catastrophe on the entire country — Democrats, Republicans, and Independents," the statement continues.
“President Biden promised to represent all Americans, whether they voted for him or not, which is why he’s fighting to save jobs in red and blue districts alike and to reach a good-faith bipartisan budget agreement.”
