» Debt limit deal:

Proposal links 3-month extension with Harvey aid

President Donald Trump endorses a short-term increase in the nation’s debt limit suggested by Democratic leaders.

President Donald Trump endorsed a shortterm increase in the nation’s debt limit suggested by Democratic leaders Wednesday, a strategy that House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., had already rejected as “ridiculous.”

In a joint statement Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said that in their meeting with Trump and fellow congressional leaders, “the president and congressional leadership agreed to pass aid for (Hurricane) Harvey, an extension of the debt limit, and a continuing resolution to Dec. 15, all together. Both sides have every intention of avoiding default in December and look forward to working together on the many issues before us.”

Trump confirmed the deal to reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to North Dakota for a speech on tax reform.

“We had a very good meeting with Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. We agreed to a three-month extension on debt ceiling, which they consider to be sacred ... we’ll agree on debt ceiling automatically because of the importance of it,” the president said. “Also on the CRs and also on Harvey ... We essentially came to a deal, and I think the deal will be very good.”