News Wrap: Democrats and Republicans express optimism on striking debt ceiling deal

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• Amna Nawaz:

  Good evening, and welcome to the "NewsHour."

  President Biden and congressional Republicans are giving fresh signals tonight that the deadlock over the debt ceiling may be easing.

• Geoff Bennett:

  Both sides voiced optimism today on striking a deal to avoid a national default, perhaps by this weekend.

  President Biden said he's confident that negotiators can agree to raise the current limit of $31 trillion before a June 1 deadline.

  Joe Biden, President of the United States: We're going to come together, because there's no alternative. We have to do the right thing for the country. We have to move on.

  And, to be clear, this negotiation is about the outlines of what the budget will look like, not about whether or not were going to, in fact, pay our debts. The leaders have all agreed, we will not default.

• Geoff Bennett:

  The president said he will have more to say at a news conference Sunday, after attending the G7 summit in Japan.

  In turn, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, backed by fellow Republicans, said a deal is doable by Sunday, but he also suggested the president should stay home.

• Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA):

  He's the president of the United States. He's a grown man. He can make a decision where he wants to go. And he can travel any place he wants. The only thing I know, if you thought, for the last 97 days, you were never going to negotiate, what are your priorities? I think America wants us to solve American problems first.

• Geoff Bennett:

  Republicans are pressing for spending caps and work requirements for federal benefits in exchange for lifting the debt ceiling.

• Amna Nawaz:

  The president has now left for that overseas trip to Japan. He departed from Joint Base Andrews, outside Washington, late this morning. He will join leaders of other major economies for the three-day summit in Hiroshima. The president canceled stops in Australia and Papua New Guinea so he can return to D.C. early for the debt limit negotiations.

  The U.S. Supreme Court is letting Illinois ban the sale of some semiautomatic guns and large-capacity magazines for now. The justices refused today to block the law, pending a legal challenge. It bars sales of assault-style weapons like the AR-15. Those who already own such guns have to register them with police.

  In Pakistan, police have surrounded the home of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, raising new fears of unrest. He'd been arrested last week on corruption charges, then released amid violent protests. In Lahore tonight, police set up barricades outside Khan's home. They said he's sheltering supporters blamed for the violence, a charge he said is ridiculous.

• Imran Khan, Former Pakistani Prime Minister (through translator):

  If 40 terrorists are hiding at my residence, then it's a threat to my life, too. Please come, but not like this, to attack my house. Come like a civilized society with a search warrant. We will show you the whole house, and you will see where these terrorists are.

• Amna Nawaz:

  Pakistani officials said police will raid Khan's home unless he hands over the suspects within 24 hours.

  Back in this country, Democrats in Pennsylvania still control the state House after winning a special election on Tuesday. The outcome has major implications for abortion and gun rights legislation. And, in Kentucky, Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron will challenge Democratic Governor Andy Beshear in the fall. Cameron was endorsed by former President Trump.

  On Wall Street, stocks rallied on hopes of a debt ceiling deal in Washington. Major indices were up more than 1 percent. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 408 points to close at 33420. The Nasdaq rose 157 points. The S&P 500 added nearly 49.

  And plebes at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, celebrated an annual rite of passage today ending their first year. They worked together to scale the 21-foot Herndon Monument slathered with grease for the occasion. When they finally reached the top, they replaced a freshman's cap with an upperclassman's. The slippery feat took just over 2.5 hours.

  Still to come on the "NewsHour": new data shows a massive disparity in excess deaths among Black Americans compared to their white counterparts; Tulsa, Oklahoma struggles to reconcile its troubling past with urban renewal; comedian Leanne Morgan discusses her unusual road to success ahead of her new special; plus much more.

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