President Joe Biden will visit the Hudson Valley and New York City next week, the White House told Spectrum News 1 Friday evening.
In the Hudson Valley, the president on Wednesday will discuss the ongoing debt ceiling impasse in Congress, arguing that lawmakers should avoid default immediately without conditions.
Biden is also planning to make remarks against the Limit, Save, Grow Act, which Republicans in the House of Representatives passed two weeks ago. The president has invited the four congressional leaders to meet at the White House on Tuesday — a day before coming to New York — amid concerns of a federal government default. It is unclear at this time where Biden will make those remarks.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen notified Congress earlier this week that the U.S. could default on its debt as early as June 1 if lawmakers do not raise or suspend the nation’s borrowing authority before then.
U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro, a Republican who represents a large portion of the Hudson Valley, released a statement saying:
“Last month, the House of Representatives, with my support, passed legislation to lift the debt ceiling. President Biden can back this legislation or engage in good-faith, bipartisan negotiations to find common ground to avoid a default and bend the unsustainable rate of federal spending. So far, he has done neither. Instead, President Biden plans to leave negotiators behind in Washington and travel to the Hudson Valley to make a political speech.
President Biden’s game of chicken is dangerous. Our financial system, Social Security & Medicare, veterans benefits, and checks for servicemembers are hanging in the balance because he is refusing to take action. President Biden needs to stop campaigning and start negotiating.”
According to the White House, in New York City, the president will also participate in campaign receptions.
It's the third visit for Biden to the Hudson Valley in the last few months, following stops to highlight technological investments in the region and campaign for lawmakers last fall prior to the midterm elections.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.