House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has written a letter to President Biden urging his administration to hold negotiations with Republicans over raising the nation's debt ceiling. The GOP leader argued that the White House has been "completely missing in action" from the debates, putting the US economy at risk by refusing to negotiate any changes to government spending. House Budget Committee chairman Jodey Arrington has also proposed requiring federal food benefits programs based on participation in the workforce. McCarthy suggested divesting unspent COVID relief funds, cutting non-defense spending, and strengthening federal work requirements. In response, the White House says that it is unwilling to enter negotiations until a Republican counterproposal is presented to Biden's budget request. As Republicans struggle to find common ground within their divided majority, McCarthy criticized Biden for a lack of leadership and willingness to "play politics." Nevertheless, McCarthy has signaled that House Republicans are prepared to cut federal spending by another $4 trillion if Biden agrees to work together. The government reached its debt limit of $31 trillion in January, but McCarthy and other leading Republicans are making a push to curb spending and reduce the nation's deficit.