Debt-limit talks: President Joe Biden and congressional lawmakers have a June 1 deadline to raise the debt ceiling before the federal government potentially runs out of money, setting up tense last-minute negotiations on an issue that threatens the United States’ economic standing and has implications for the global economy.
What we’re watching: The talks deteriorated on Saturday as Republicans continued to push for deep spending cuts. Biden said he would speak directly with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) today in hopes of rescuing the negotiations.
Ron DeSantis campaign launch: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is preparing to officially enter the 2024 presidential race this week as his donors kick off a fundraising push, according to people familiar with the decision. DeSantis is poised to file official paperwork declaring his candidacy, coinciding with a donor meeting on May 25. His official launch comes after a Florida legislative session in which DeSantis signed a slew of laws targeting human trafficking, the LGBTQ community and abortion that are aimed at bolstering his conservative credentials.
What we’re watching: Former President Donald Trump has opened up a wide lead over DeSantis in recent weeks among potential GOP primary voters (61% to 18%), according to our 2024 GOP Primary Tracker. Yet political analysts and people close to Trump expect DeSantis to see a bump in support once he makes his candidacy official, attracting more attention from voters and the news media.
Tim Scott making moves too: Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) plans to formally kick off his 2024 presidential campaign in his hometown of North Charleston, S.C., tomorrow and then hit the trail in Iowa and New Hampshire — states where his campaign has reportedly reserved $6 million in advertisements across television and radio. Scott, who filed paperwork declaring his candidacy on Friday, enters the race with a substantial campaign war chest of $22 million cash on hand.
What we’re watching: Our data shows that Scott has just 1% support among potential GOP primary voters and his name recognition has room to grow: 32% have never heard of him. Those figures could improve as he takes a more prominent role on the campaign trail.
Impeachment talk picks up: McCarthy is facing pressure to launch impeachment proceedings against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has filed an impeachment resolution against FBI Director Christopher Wray.
What we’re watching: The effort to impeach Mayorkas, which garnered attention on the right even before Republicans took over the House, was endorsed by House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) amid the Biden administration’s lifting of the Title 42 border policy. But at this early stage, the administration hasn’t seen a migration surge as large as expected, alleviating some of the pressure on an issue that is tough for Democrats.