May 2, 2024
Debt ceiling negotiations between the White House and House Republicans dominated the week as the United States inched closer to default.

Debt ceiling negotiations between the White House and House Republicans dominated the week as the United States inched closer to default.

On Friday, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen shifted the “X-date” when the U.S. would be unable to pay its bills from June 1 to June 5, giving lawmakers some breathing room to strike a deal. Republicans want spending concessions from President Joe Biden in exchange for increasing the debt limit.

Biden expressed confidence they would find a compromise before the deadline.

“Things are looking good. I’m very optimistic,” Biden said Friday afternoon before departing for Camp David.

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Here’s a look at scenes from the week of May 22, 2023, captured by Washington Examiner photographer Graeme Jennings.

Debt ceiling talks continue in effort to avoid default

U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) speaks to members of the media, shortly before opening the House Chamber, at the U.S. Capitol, on Friday, May 26, 2023. Republican and White House negotiators are moving closer to an agreement to raise the debt limit, in order to avoid a catastrophic default.
US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy speaks to members of the media, shortly before opening the House Chamber, at the US Capitol, on Friday, May 26, 2023. Republican and White House negotiators are moving closer to an agreement to raise the debt limit, in order to avoid a catastrophic default.
Graeme Jennings/Graeme Jennings

Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC), accompanied by Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), talks to reporters outside his office at the Capitol in Washington, May 22, 2023, following a meeting at the White House with President Joe Biden on the government's debt ceiling. McHenry has been a top negotiator in an attempt to find an agreement.
Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC), accompanied by Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), talks to reporters outside his office at the Capitol in Washington, May 22, 2023, following a meeting at the White House with President Joe Biden on the government’s debt ceiling. McHenry has been a top negotiator in an attempt to find an agreement.
Graeme Jennings/Graeme Jennings

House liberals won’t commit to supporting “bad” debt ceiling bill

Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) speaks during a news conference alongside other members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) to discuss the debt ceiling negotiations, on Capitol Hill, on May 24, 2023. During his remarks, McGovern criticized the House Republican debt ceiling bill and said "House Democrats are not going to vote for a bill that screws poor people while protecting rich people."
Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) speaks during a news conference alongside other members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) to discuss the debt ceiling negotiations, on Capitol Hill, on May 24, 2023. During his remarks, McGovern criticized the House Republican debt ceiling bill and said “House Democrats are not going to vote for a bill that screws poor people while protecting rich people.”
Graeme Jennings/Graeme Jennings

Members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) arrive at a press conference to discuss the debt ceiling negotiations, on Capitol Hill, on May 24, 2023.
Members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) arrive at a press conference to discuss the debt ceiling negotiations, on Capitol Hill, on May 24, 2023.
Graeme Jennings/Graeme Jennings

Lawmakers from Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), including Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), arrive at a press conference to discuss the debt ceiling negotiations, on Capitol Hill, on May 24, 2023.
Lawmakers from Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), including Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), arrive at a press conference to discuss the debt ceiling negotiations, on Capitol Hill, on May 24, 2023.
Graeme Jennings/Graeme Jennings

Bipartisan Hispanic congresswomen introduce sweeping immigration bill

Reps. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), accompanied by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, speaks during a press conference on immigration and the "Dignity Act," which would offer a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants in the U.S. while investing in border security. This bill follows the "Secure the Border Act" that passed the House on May 11, 2023, with no Democratic support. The "Dignity Act" is co-sponsored by Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX).
Reps. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), accompanied by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, speaks during a press conference on immigration and the “Dignity Act,” which would offer a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants in the U.S. while investing in border security. This bill follows the “Secure the Border Act” that passed the House on May 11, 2023, with no Democratic support. The “Dignity Act” is co-sponsored by Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX).
Graeme Jennings/Graeme Jennings

House hears from mother of Kayla Hamilton, who was murdered by suspected MS-13 gang member

Photographs of Kayla Hamilton who was allegedly murdered by an unaccompanied alien MS-13 gang member were put on display behind Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) and Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) during a House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration on Capitol Hill on May 23, 2023, in Washington, DC. Hamilton's mother, Tammy Nobles, testified at the hearing.
Photographs of Kayla Hamilton who was allegedly murdered by an unaccompanied alien MS-13 gang member were put on display behind Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) and Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) during a House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration on Capitol Hill on May 23, 2023, in Washington, DC. Hamilton’s mother, Tammy Nobles, testified at the hearing.
Graeme Jennings/Graeme Jennings

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