McCarthy strikes optimistic tone on debt ceiling talks: "I see the path"

Washington — House Speaker Kevin McCarthy struck an optimistic tone Thursday about reaching a deal with President Biden to raise the debt ceiling in time to avoid a default that would rock global financial markets. 

"We're not there," he told reporters at the Capitol. "But I see the path that we can come to an agreement, and I think we have a structure now."

McCarthy, who met with the president and other congressional leaders earlier this week, said talks are in "a much better place" than they were a week ago. Both sides have named chief negotiators to continue discussions and hammer out a deal.