Statement on Republican Debt-Ceiling Proposal

Statement

Today, the House of Representative passed H.Res. 383, Speaker Boehner's Short Term Default Act. Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the follow statement:

"It is no secret that Republicans have refused to make any concessions in order to reach a compromise on deficit reduction and raising the debt ceiling. Instead of coming up with a proposal that can pass both chambers of Congress, they insist on a proposal that makes cuts at the expense of the poor, working poor and middle class while asking nothing of the most fortunate, the wealthiest among us. The House Republicans have no intention of negotiating in good faith and are playing Russian roulette with our nation's economic stability and the economic well being of all Americans. I for one will not vote to jeopardize the future of our nation.

"Clearly the Republican majority is willing to risk America's economic recovery to score political points. The billionaires, multi-millionaires and large corporations in our nation must be included in the shared sacrifice needed to tackle our deficit. If we cannot agree to the appropriate means of addressing our nations long-term deficit given the looming deadline for raising the debt ceiling, then the responsible thing to do would be to decouple the vote to raise the debt ceiling from deficit reduction, raise the debt ceiling and resume talks on the deficit then work in earnest towards a balanced compromise that preserves our nation's social compact through entitlements and sets a firm basis for job creation. Know that, I continue stand firm in my resolve to preserve Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for future generations."

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