President Biden delivers remarks on debt ceiling in Westchester

Biden's speech at SUNY Westchester Community College in Valhalla focused on raising the debt ceiling and the battle in Washington between Democrats and Republicans.

News 12 Staff

May 10, 2023, 9:58 AM

Updated 512 days ago

Share:

President Joe Biden took center stage in the Hudson Valley to call on Republicans to raise the debt ceiling.
Biden's speech at SUNY Westchester Community College in Valhalla focused on raising the debt ceiling and the battle in Washington between Democrats and Republicans. The looming deadline to raise the debt ceiling is June 1 - that's when the country would default.
The president says House Republicans' proposal would cut veterans' health care, teachers' jobs and cause the closure of airports like Westchester. He and Democrats are at a stalemate with Republican leaders who say they won't increase the limit unless Democrats cut back on spending.
Biden arrived at Westchester County Airport just before 1 p.m. and spoke to a packed auditorium of local dignitaries and residents at the college. This was the president's third trip to the region since October. Last election, two seats flipped red in the Hudson Valley.
Biden's trip came at a crucial time in the Hudson Valley as a debate over housing migrants gains steam. The president did not take questions and did not touch on the immigration issue.
Hudson Valley leaders are battling with New York City Mayor Eric Adams over an influx of migrants he wants to house at hotels in both Orange and Rockland counties. A state of emergency has been issued in both counties in an effort to prevent that from happening.
The situation is even more pressing because Title 42 is set to expire Thursday. It's a pandemic-era policy that allowed the U.S. the ability to quickly expel migrants who illegally cross the border.