Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen said Monday that the group tasked with reaching a compromise on raising the debt ceiling, led by Vice President Joe Biden, is making progress.
“We’re working hard … . We’re making progress,” Mr. Van Hollen said in an interview on MSNBC.
The Maryland Democrat downplayed suggestions that Congress may be prepared to pass a series of short-term debt ceiling extensions this summer. The proposal was put forth by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday.
“We’re focused on Plan A,” Mr. Van Hollen said, adding, “Nobody should be playing the game of chicken.”
The comment comes as House Republicans continue to call for steep spending cuts, while Congressional Democrats seem reluctant to agree to nearly $6 trillion in spending cuts.
Vice President Joe Biden has said he is “convinced” the White House and Congress will able to reach an agreement on a deficit reduction plan that leads to $4 trillion in savings over 10 to 12 years. The Vice President noted House Republicans and Democrats have already reached an agreement on “well beyond” $1 trillion in spending cuts.
