WASHINGTON, DC – West Virginia U-S Senator Joe Manchin is urging President Joe Biden to negotiate with Republicans to raise the debt ceiling.

In a statement, Manchin applauded House Speaker Kevin McCarthy for introducing a bill to lift the debt limit by one-point-five-trillion dollars through March of next year.

Manchin went on to slam Biden for showing a “deficiency of leadership” as he has resisted calls to negotiate an increase and avoid a default.

The Democrat said he does not agree with everything in the Republican proposal, but said it’s an important step to avoid a crisis.

The White House has demanded Congress raise the debt ceiling without conditions.