House Speaker Paul Ryan on Thursday insisted the United States will raise the debt ceiling before it defaults.
“We will pay our debts and we will make the debt limit,” Ryan told CNBC from a Boeing factory in Washington state.
“I’m really not worried about getting this done because I know we will get this done and we will pass the increase before we hit the debt limit,” he added.
The U.S. government needs to increase its borrowing limit before the end of September or risk defaulting on its debt. Ryan’s comments echoed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who said “there is zero chance” that the U.S. will fail to raise the debt ceiling.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has called for a “clean” debt ceiling increase, meaning the vote is not attached to other provisions. Some conservatives have opposed a clean hike, particularly during the Obama administration.
The Wisconsin Republican also said he did not feel targeted by President Donald Trump, who earlier in the day seemed to blame Ryan and Senate Majority Mitch McConnell for what he called a “mess” that the government faces in raising the borrowing limit.
Ryan is making a series of public appearances touting tax reform, which he believes Congress can pass this year.
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