Trump's interim budget chief accuses Pelosi of keeping his hostage on top of the debt ceiling

Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russ Vought, accused Democrats in the House Thursday of holding "the debt limit as hostage" after the president Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiDaily Health Care: Pelosi Will Change Drug Pricing System Following Complaints | 2020 Democrats to Participate in Family Planning Abortion Forum | House Holds First Big "Medicare for All" Hearing: Pelosi to Modify Drug Pricing Program Following Complaints | 2020 Democrats to Participate in Family Planning Abortion Forum | The House holds the first major "Medicare for All" hearing, before which Pelosi will modify its drug pricing program after progressive complaints PLUS (D-Calif.) Said she would not agree to raise the debt ceiling before the White House agrees to increase spending caps.

Vought called Pelosi's gesture "reckless and irresponsible".

"While our country already has more than $ 22 trillion in debt, Congress should work with us to reduce unnecessary spending and deficits." The government has always urged Congress to protect US confidence by increasing the limit. of debt, as soon as possible, "Vought said in a statement.

The threat of the Democrats to keep the debt limit as hostage to billions of dollars in new spending is irresponsible and irresponsible, as it jeopardizes America's confidence and credit. pic.twitter.com/bvLqWlki4I

– Russ Vought (@ RussVought45) June 13, 2019

Pelosi told reporters Thursday at Capitol Hill that the lifting of the debt ceiling would come "in second or at the same time" after the lifting of the caps, but not before.

Congress will have to suspend or increase the federal debt limit by the fall so as to avoid defaulting on its own debt, which would have an impact on world markets and hurt the debt. Treasury Department's ability to raise funds by selling government bonds.

The White House has demanded that statutory ceilings remain in effect while increasing defense spending through a budget maneuver. But Democrats in the House have passed spending bills that would increase funding levels by $ 17 billion for defense and $ 34 billion for non-defense.

Debt ceiling negotiations have been linked to discussions on raising spending ceilings, a necessary step to avoid a significant decline in government spending. Inaction would reduce defense spending and domestic spending by about 10% in fiscal year 2020, which begins on October 1.