Biden, McCarthy meet face-to-face on debt crisis worries

By LISA MASCARO and SEUNG MIN KIM
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy have met for more than an hour at the White House, aiming to avert a national debt limit crisis. There was no quick progress on related federal spending action, but the Republican leader called it a “good first meeting.” It was their first since the GOP leader took power in the House. Biden has refused to engage in brinkmanship over lifting the nation’s debt limit, warning against throwing the economy into chaos. But McCarthy was eager to launch negotiations over slashing federal spending as part of a broader deal.