financetom
Economy
financetom
/
Economy
/
Debt-ceiling deal: What's in and what's out of the agreement to avert US default
News World Market Environment Technology Personal Finance Politics Retail Business Economy Cryptocurrency Forex Stocks Market Commodities
Debt-ceiling deal: What's in and what's out of the agreement to avert US default
May 28, 2023 12:09 AM

President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy have reached an agreement in principle on legislation to increase the nation’s borrowing authority and avoid a default.

Negotiators are now racing to finalize the bill’s text. McCarthy said the House will vote on the legislation on Wednesday, giving the Senate time to consider it ahead of the June 5 deadline to avoid a possible default.

While many details are unknown, both sides will be able to point to some victories. But some conservatives expressed early concerns that the deal doesn’t cut future deficits enough, while Democrats have been worried about proposed changes to work requirements in programs such as food stamps.

A look at what’s in and out of the deal, based on what’s known so far:

TWO-YEAR DEBT INCREASE, SPENDING LIMITS

The agreement would keep non-defense spending roughly flat in the 2024 fiscal year and increase it by 1% the following year, as well as provide for a two-year debt-limit increase — past the next presidential election in 2024. That's according to a source familiar with the deal who provided details on the condition of anonymity.

VETERANS CARE

The agreement will fully fund medical care for veterans at the levels included in Biden's proposed 2024 budget blueprint, including for a fund dedicated to veterans who have been exposed to toxic substances or environmental hazards. Biden sought $20.3 billion for the toxic exposure fund in his budget.

WORK REQUIREMENTS

Republicans had proposed boosting work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents in certain government assistance programs. They said it would bring more people into the workforce, who would then pay taxes and help shore up key entitlement programs, namely Social Security and Medicare.

Democrats had roundly criticized the proposed changes, saying they would lead to fewer people able to afford food or health care without actually increasing job participation.

House Republicans had passed legislation that would create new work requirements for some Medicaid recipients, but that was left out of the final agreement.

Also read: Biden, McCarthy have tentative US debt ceiling deal

However, the agreement would expand some work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, formerly known as food stamps. The agreement would raise the age for existing work requirements from 49 to 54, similar to the Republican proposal, but those changes would expire in 2030. And the White House said it would at the same time reduce the number of vulnerable people at all ages who are subject to the requirements

SPEEDING UP ENERGY PROJECTS

The deal puts in place changes in the the National Environmental Policy Act that will designate “a single lead agency” to develop environmental reviews, in hopes of streamlining the process.

WHAT WAS LEFT OUT

Republicans had sought to repeal Biden's efforts to waive $10,000 to $20,000 in debt for nearly all borrowers who took out student loans. But the provision was a nonstarter for Democrats. The budget agreement keeps Biden's student loan relief in place, though the Supreme Court will have the ultimate say on the matter.

The Supreme Court is dominated 6-3 by conservatives, and those justices’ questions in oral arguments showed skepticism about the legality of Biden’s student loans plan. A decision is expected before the end of June.

(Edited by : Pradeep John)

Comments
Welcome to financetom comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Related Articles >
ADP says it will publish weekly US private employment data, payrolls up average 14,250 in 4 weeks to Oct 11 
ADP says it will publish weekly US private employment data, payrolls up average 14,250 in 4 weeks to Oct 11 
Oct 28, 2025
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. private payrolls increased by an average 14,250 jobs in the four weeks ending October 11, the ADP National Employment Report's inaugural weekly preliminary estimate showed on Tuesday. ADP said in a statement it would be publishing a weekly preliminary estimate of the ADP National Employment Report every Tuesday effective October 28, based on its high frequency data. ...
US single-family home prices increase in August, FHFA says
US single-family home prices increase in August, FHFA says
Oct 28, 2025
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. single-family house prices increased in August even as supply has improved significantly, suggesting affordability would remain a challenge for many prospective home buyers.   House prices rose 0.4% on a month-over-month basis, the Federal Housing Finance Agency said on Tuesday. Data for July was revised up to show prices being unchanged instead of dipping 0.1%, as initially reported....
US consumer confidence slips in October as worries over jobs persist
US consumer confidence slips in October as worries over jobs persist
Oct 28, 2025
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. consumer confidence eased in October as households worried about the availability of jobs over the next six months and persistently higher prices because of tariffs on imports. The Conference Board said on Tuesday its consumer confidence index fell to 94.6 this month from an upwardly revised 95.6 in September. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the index...
Trump slams Fed chair, eyes replacement in a few months
Trump slams Fed chair, eyes replacement in a few months
Oct 28, 2025
TOKYO (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said there was a long list of people who could take over the Federal Reserve, slamming current chairman Jerome Powell as the central bank prepared to meet this week. We have an incompetent head of the Fed... we got a bad Fed guy, but he'll be out of there in a few...
Copyright 2023-2026 - www.financetom.com All Rights Reserved