Senators now drive the fate of a bi-partisan deal to raise the U.S. debt ceiling. And, more candidates enter the Republican race for the White House.

So far, several Republicans have announced they’re running in the 2024 presidential election, including the former president, Donald Trump. Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and ex-New Jersey Governor Chris Christie plan to join the field next week. 

Meanwhile, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a critical compromise bill to prevent the federal government from defaulting on its debt. The 99-page deal now awaits approval from the U.S. Senate before a June fifth deadline. 

Joining the discussion: 

• Bruce Fein is a Constitutional Lawyer.
• Adolfo Franco is an Attorney and Republican Strategist.
• Joseph Williams is a former Senior Editor at U.S. News and World Report.
• Douglass Sloan is a Political Analyst and Principal at the National Capitol Strategy Group.

A divided US House of Representatives passed a bill to suspend the $31.4 trillion debt ceiling, with majority support from both Democrats and Republicans to avoid a catastrophic default https://t.co/3VtPcvFcSA pic.twitter.com/Hqix6rmSNm

— Reuters (@Reuters) June 1, 2023

"It's a matter of 'when' not 'if' this debt ceiling bill passes the U.S. Senate and moves to the president for his signature," says @MacFarlaneNews on the Senate race to avoid default.

"That's the reality," he adds, adding that a vote could happen before midnight Thursday. pic.twitter.com/VjU3HBprsZ

— CBS News (@CBSNews) June 1, 2023