House Republicans are not ready to give up on negotiations with President Joe Biden, but not ruling out unilateral action either.

Republicans want to expand work requirements on food stamps, cash assistance and health benefits to reduce federal spending and grow the labor force.

U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said on Thursday that Republicans could act on their own to address the federal government's debt ceiling, after months of demands that President Joe Biden first agree to spending cuts went nowhere.

Calif., said Thursday that Republican lawmakers will pass a debt ceiling bill if President Joe Biden refuses to negotiate.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said Thursday that House Republicans are prepared to try to raise the debt limit on their own if President Biden doesn't return to the negotiating table. Why it matters: It marks a strategy shift by the House speaker as Biden demands Republicans present a budget plan before he engages in talks – which they appear strongly disinclined to do.