Pressley Blasts GOP for Holding Economy Hostage, Threatening Default on National Debt

“My colleagues across the aisle say that they care about seniors, veterans, youngsters, and households, but in the words of James Baldwin, ‘I can not think what you say, simply because I see what you do.’”

“Republicans continue to govern in a way that is clueless, callous, and with terrific contempt, and I would say godless, simply because faith with no performs is dead.”

Floor Speech (YouTube)

WASHINGTON – In an impassioned speech on the Residence floor, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) blasted Republicans for holding the economy hostage and threatening a default on our national debt as they attempt to rip away healthcare and life-saving help for the most vulnerable individuals.

A complete transcript of her remarks is accessible beneath and the complete video is available here.

Transcript: Pressley Blasts GOP for Holding Economy Hostage, Threatening Default on National Debt

U.S. Residence of Representatives

Might 25, 2023

I rise currently on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of individuals in the Massachusetts Seventh.

The single mom in Randolph who depends on SNAP to feed her babies.

The disabled veteran in Chelsea who relies on SSDI.

Households in Roxbury struggling to spend rent and their mortgages.

My colleagues across the aisle say that they care about seniors, veterans, youngsters, and households, but in the words of James Baldwin, ‘I can not think what you say, simply because I see what you do.’

The Republicans continue to govern in a way that is clueless, callous, and with terrific contempt, and I would say godless, simply because faith with no performs is dead.

Republicans want us to make an not possible decision: intense, drastic cuts to life-saving applications, or a catastrophic default on our debt—both of which would influence our most vulnerable.

And this is a manufactured crisis. That is a false decision.

If Republicans had even an ounce of compassion. Democrats want to modify and save lives and Republicans want to play with yours. And the American individuals are presently in limbo simply because of it.

Quit playing with people’s lives. This is not a game. Pass a clean debt ceiling enhance.

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A Republican default on our debt would:

• Kill about eight,500 jobs in MA-07 alone. Nationwide, a default could kill much more than 7 million jobs.
• Jeopardize Social Safety payments for 64,000 households in MA-07.
• Place well being added benefits at danger for 297,000 individuals in MA-07 who rely on Medicare, Medicaid, or Veterans Affairs well being coverage.
• Raise lifetime mortgage expenses for the common homeowner in Massachusetts by $90,000.
• Raise the expenses of a new automobile loan for the common American by $800.
• Threaten the retirement savings of 77,800 individuals close to retirement in MA-07, eliminating $20,000 from the common retirement portfolio.

Final week, Rep. Pressley joined her colleagues in the Congressional Progressive Caucus in urging President Biden to prepare to invoke his constitutional authority granted in the 14th Amendment to uphold the complete faith and credit of the United States and finish Republican hostage taking of the economy that could trigger a economic catastrophe. Rep. Pressley has also joined her colleagues in urging Speaker McCarthy to enable prompt floor consideration of legislation to raise the debt ceiling with no any extraneous policies attached.

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