The Five Washington Dealmakers Trying to Avoid a US Default
- Negotiators include Biden’s budget chief, GOP congressman
- Discussions began hours after Biden, McCarthy met Tuesday
Five Washington insiders — a few trusted aides, a Cabinet-level officer and a Republican congressman — are now tasked with cutting a deal to avert a US debt default that otherwise could come as soon as June 1.
All five have serious deal-making chops. None come from the extremes of their party. And most are well acquainted. Republican negotiator Garret Graves and White House representative Shalanda Young even share a personal Louisiana connection: he represents her hometown.