you re live in the cnn newsroom. i m jim acosta in washington. we re at a crucial moment in the high-stakes debt ceiling talks. we re waiting for details on a phone call that just wrapped up in the last hour between president biden and house speaker kevin mccarthy. negotiations are down to one final sticking point, safety net for social programs. leaders may have as little as eight days to prevent the u.s. from defaulting on its debt. many experts predict economic disaster if that happens. manu raju is up on capitol hill. manu, i was hoping since you were there in front of the cameras for us today that that meant i think this is probably our strongest indicator, that you were on capitol hill for us. president and kevin mccarthy spoke. at this point if the speaker were to come out and touk alk t reporters, that would be a good sign. you tell us. reporter: that s right, jim. the speaker said today he would be the one to make the announcement that there is a deal. well, he
visit finishyourdiploma.org to find free and supportive adult education centers near you. happening now, thousands are gathered on the national mall supporting israel and demanding the release of the hostages that hamas is holding. plus, the health care system in gaza collapsing. the u.n. warns only one hospital in northern gaza remains operational. but israel insists hamas is using civilian infrastructure to hold weapons and hostages. and the house set to vote this afternoon on speaker mike johnson s plan to fund the government with just three days left before a potential shutdown. the far right house freedom caucus already came out against the plan. we are following these major developing stories and many more, all coming in right here to cnn news central. today, tens of thousands of people are marching here in the nation s capital, showing solidarity with israel and demanding the release of hostages that hamas is holding right now. the rally is coming as joe bide
within the republican conference. we know at least 35 members warned they would vote against this emerging deal. i suspect that number would only grow. mccarthy wants to make sure half of his republican congress is behind this bill. that is going to be his task, to limit the convections. this conference call tonight is so significant for him to keep his party in line and limit the revolt on the right. as you know, jim, in order to get the deal to win the speakership, one member could call for his oust of his speaker, of his speaker s gavel. that s always a risk that mccarthy faced. he knows that. all right, manu. and i i think we might have the washington post , cnn economic analyst. cath rp, i know you re there watching all of this on a