News Wrap: Democrats, Republicans narrow in on debt limit deal

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• John Yang:

  Good evening. I'm John Yang. There's no holiday weekend for negotiators on Capitol Hill. They're trying to reach a budget deal that would clear the way for Congress to raise the nation's debt limit and prevent the Treasury from running out of cash and defaulting on its debt. That could come as early as June 5.

  Both Biden administration officials and House Republicans are indicating that a deal is within reach. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy sounded optimistic today when he spoke with reporters.

  Rep. Kevin McCarthy, Speaker of the House: Now is everything I want? No. It has to pass the Senate and get signed by the President to fill each day I feel closer and better.

• John Yang:

  The negotiators are closing in on a two-year deal that would push the need to next raise the debt limit until after the 2024 elections. A big sticking point remains the Republicans proposal for new work requirements for recipients of Federal Food Aid. Many Democratic lawmakers oppose that.

  Vice President Kamala Harris gave the commencement address at West Point today the first woman to do that and the military Academy's 221 year history. At the ceremony were about 950 graduating cadets became army second lieutenants. Harris saluted the military for breaking barriers and becoming more inclusive.

• Kamala Harris, U.S. Vice President:

  This year you celebrate the 75th anniversary of the integration of women in the military, as well as the desegregation of our military. These milestones are met the reminder of a fundamental truth. Our military is strongest when it fully reflects the people of America.

• John Yang:

  West Point's first female cadets enrolled in 1976 following an act of Congress.

  And on this Memorial Day weekend, AAA estimates that around 42 million Americans will be traveling at least 50 miles from home. About 37 million will go by car that's about 6 percent more than last year. Gas prices average about $1 per gallon cheaper than last year.

  At airports, federal officials say the number of air travelers has already hit a pandemic era high. AAA projects that this coming summer travel season could break records especially for air travel.

  Still to come on "PBS News Weekend," how to fix the global plastic problem and what the federal government is doing to help new and expectant mothers.