Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2023

May 26, 2023

Q. Mr. President, Mr. President, sirââ

Public Debt Limit and Federal Budget Negotiations/The President's Residence in Greenville, Delaware

Q. Mr. President, any update on the debt limit, sir?

Q. The extension of the debt limit, how's it going? How's it going?

The President. With regard to the debt limit, things are looking good. I'm very optimistic. I hope we'll have some clearer evidence tonight before the clock strikes 12 that we have a deal. But it's very close, and I'm optimistic.

The reason I'm going to Camp David is, they are working on theâthe Secret Service is working on my houseâbulletproofing the house. So there's no place to go at home; they said I'd be out for 5 weeks. So I'm going to Camp David because my granddaughter graduates on Sunday, and it's closest so I can get there to be at her graduation.

Public Debt Limit and Federal Budget Negotiations

Q. What did you say about tonight? What did you say about tonight?

The President. What I said: There's a negotiation going on. I'm hopeful we'll know by tonight whether we are going to be able to have a deal.

Russia's Nuclear Weapons

Q. What's your reaction toâwhat's your reaction to Russia moving tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus?

The President. Extremely negative, is my reaction.

Public Debt Limit and Federal Budget Negotiations

Q. Mr. President, what do youâwhat do you tell Democrats who say that they don't want you to bow on the work requirements? What's your position?

The President. I don't bow to anybody.

Q. Mr. Presidentâ[inaudible]âtalk to Speaker McCarthy? McCarthy, sir.

NOTE: The President spoke at 6:15 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White House prior to boarding Marine One. In his remarks, he referred to his granddaughter Natalie P. Biden.

Categories: Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters, White House. Locations: Washington, DC.

Names: Biden, Natalie P.

Subjects: Belarus, Russian role; News media, Presidential interviews; Public debt limit; Russia, conflict in Ukraine; Secret Service, U.S.

DCPD Number: DCPD202300473.

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