‘Would It Kill You To Just Do Something?’: CNBC Host Tears Into Dem Over Refusal To Negotiate With Republicans On Debt

CNBC’s Joe Kernen sparred with Democratic California Rep. Ro Khanna on Wednesday morning over Democrats’ refusal to negotiate with Republicans on the debt ceiling.

Republicans passed a bill that would raise the debt ceiling to prevent a default while also cutting spending and enacting reforms. Biden and the Democrats have rejected the proposal, instead arguing for a debt increase without conditions. McCarthy is slated to meet with Biden on May 9 to discuss the debt ceiling.

Kernen pressed Khanna on the matter, asking if Democrats are only doing it so that they can blame Republicans.

“We’re at $32 trillion, I think unequivocally there is a debt issue, and that has something to do with this suit we’re in, in terms of inflation, and everything else. I was watching Senate leadership yesterday and John Thune pointed out that eight out of the last 11 times we’ve raised the debt ceiling there have been fiscal and budgetary talks coinciding wit that, and there have been initiatives, whether it was one party or the other that wanted to do something, it was agreed upon negotiations. There is a bill in the House right now that’s being ignored, and Senator Schumer is not bringing anything to the floor, he has to raise the debt ceiling. He needs 60. He doesn’t have the 60. The president has got to engage here not afterward, not taking this off – the only reasons he’s not, in your view, do you agree, is because he wants to pin it on the GOP?”

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“The president knows that we can’t default. That would be catastrophic at a time for the economy. He’s called all four leaders in to meet with him.”

“Still says he won’t talk about it in, at the same time as the debt ceiling increase, though,” Kernen pushed back. (RELATED: CNBC Host Presses WH Advisor On Why Biden Won’t Come To Negotiation Table)

“Here’s what we’re saying. Just pay the bills,” Khanna said.

“We will but would it kill you to just do something?” Kernen pressed, asking about unused COVID relief. The two continued to disagree, with Kernen arguing Democrats are backing McCarthy into a corner.