Most Americans Oppose Raising the Debt Ceiling, Poll Shows.

Wall Street Journal Poll Shows More Americans Oppose Raising Debt Ceiling

A new Wall Street Journal poll reveals that more Americans are against raising the debt ceiling than those who support it. The poll comes as President Joe Biden urges Congress to raise the debt limit without any commitments to cut spending.

Key Findings from the Poll

• 45% of respondents oppose lifting the debt ceiling
• 44% of respondents favor lifting the debt ceiling to avoid defaulting on the country’s debt
• 75% of Republicans oppose lifting the debt limit
• 75% of Democrats support lifting the debt limit

The large opposition to raising the limit could give House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and congressional Republicans leverage in their ongoing battle with Biden over the nation’s debt. Republicans are demanding cuts to federal spending before they agree to raise the debt limit. The United States hit its $31.4 trillion borrowing limit in January, and the Biden administration claims the country could run out of funds as soon as June 1 if Congress doesn’t come to an agreement.

McCarthy recently met with Biden to discuss the debt limit, but the House Speaker said that the President is unwilling to budge in negotiations. “Is it too much to ask that we spend what we spent five months ago?” McCarthy said at a press conference after the meeting.

This meeting was the first time the two parties met to discuss the debt limit. Biden spent months refusing to meet with McCarthy to discuss Republicans’ desire to reign in federal spending. Biden has said he wants Congress to pass a “clean” debt ceiling hike without limiting or capping federal spending.

The Journal poll surveyed 1,500 registered voters from April 11 to 17.