Americans favoring gov' shutdown over Congress approving more spending

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
23 Jan 20:53

The US national debt reportedly stands at $31.46 trillion, according to data from the Treasury Department.

A billboard displaying the national debt in Washington in February 2022 (Getty images)

A poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports revealed on Monday that a majority of eligible voters across the United States are favoring a government shutdown over Congress greenlighting more spending.

This comes in the backdrop of a recent announcement made on Thursday by the Treasury Department to avoid breaching the borrowing cap by temporarily suspending investments that are considered unnecessary to keep the government running after the US government reached its outstanding debt limit.

In other words, it will seek to suspend crucial payments, such as investment in retiree funds for government employees, for the purposes of continuing to fund Kiev's forces.

The US national debt reportedly stands at $31.46 trillion, according to data from the Treasury Department.

56% of poll respondents said they prefer a government shutdown "until Congress can agree to either cut spending or keep it the same," the report states, whereas 34% said they prefer Congress to authorize additional spending to avoid a partial government shutdown.

President Joe Biden is expected to meet with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to discuss the situation regarding US national debt and a possible increase in the debt ceiling imposed by Congress, the White House said in a statement.

Yet, the goal will be to convince the Republican-majority lower chamber of Congress to approve additional spending despite their calls for budget cuts.

Both will discuss the GOP's plan to cut several crucial government programs, including Social Security, and introduce a 30% national sales tax.

"The President looks forward to learning more about those plans, as well as to telling them about his plan to cut the deficit – beyond the historic $1.7 trillion we have delivered – strengthen retirement programs, invest in key priorities, and fund it all by making the wealthy and big corporations pay their fair share," the statement issued by the White House adds.

Yellen warned on Friday that if Congress does not address the debt limit soon, the United States risks triggering a recession or a global financial crisis. If Congress fails to raise the limit, the US will automatically default on its payments, obstructing basic US government functions.