A recent poll found that more Americans would blame President Joe Biden if the debt ceiling defaults rather than blame congressional Republicans.
The results were included in a Fox News poll of registered voters regarding negotiations over raising the debt ceiling.
The poll found that 47% of Americans will blame Biden for a debt default, while less than 45% would blame congressional Republicans.
The poll showed a significant contrast from the 2011 debt-ceiling fight when 47% of Americans blamed Republicans, and only 32% blamed former President Barack Obama.
Although most Americans believe defaulting on the debt ceiling would be catastrophic for the U.S., many believe the consequences were being exaggerated. Over 60% said a default would be “catastrophic,” while 32% said it was an exaggeration.
These results marked another reversal from a similar poll in 2011 when only 39% of Americans said a default would be catastrophic, and 55% said it’d be an exaggeration.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen recently said the federal government would run out of money on June 5, 2023, if an agreement is not reached in Congress to raise the debt limit.
“Based on the most recent available data, we now estimate that Treasury will have insufficient resources to satisfy the government’s obligations if Congress has not raised or suspended the debt limit by June 5,” Yellen said, according to ABC News.
Republicans questioned Yellen’s explanation, with some accusing her of “manipulation tactics.”
“June 5? Yellen said it was June 1 earlier this WEEK. Republicans won’t be intimidated by her manipulation tactics,” Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) tweeted.
June 5?
Yellen said it was June 1 earlier this WEEK.
Republicans won't be intimidated by her manipulation tactics. https://t.co/uny4tlCZbZ
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) May 26, 2023
“Will the media join our efforts to demand Janet Yellen show her work? I have been asking for three months,” Rep. Bob Good (R-VA) said.
Will the media join our efforts to demand Janet Yellen show her work? I have been asking for three months.https://t.co/vFaNf58HRE
— Congressman Bob Good (@RepBobGood) May 26, 2023
Several Democrats have criticized Biden for his inaction during a public debate arguing that Republicans have the advantage by coordinating their message well.
“It’s time to bring the president off the bench or bring somebody off the bench. No one’s responding to anything,” one Democrat told Politico.
“The whole apparatus is not pushing back. Our side is just flat-footed,” a Biden ally said.
It was recently reported that negotiators were closing in on a deal that would raise the debt ceiling and allow federal spending until 2025.
