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

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

“Republicans continue to govern in a way that is clueless, callous, and with wonderful contempt, and I would say godless, mainly because faith without having operates is dead.”

Floor Speech (YouTube)

WASHINGTON – In an impassioned speech on the Property 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 men and women.

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

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

U.S. Property of Representatives

May possibly 25, 2023

I rise now on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of men and women 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, young children, and households, but in the words of James Baldwin, ‘I can not think what you say, mainly because I see what you do.’

The Republicans continue to govern in a way that is clueless, callous, and with wonderful contempt, and I would say godless, mainly because faith without having operates 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 effect 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 adjust and save lives and Republicans want to play with yours. And the American men and women are presently in limbo mainly because of it.

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

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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 additional than 7 million jobs.
• Jeopardize Social Safety payments for 64,000 households in MA-07.
• Place wellness advantages at threat for 297,000 men and women in MA-07 who rely on Medicare, Medicaid, or Veterans Affairs wellness coverage.
• Boost lifetime mortgage charges for the standard homeowner in Massachusetts by $90,000.
• Raise the charges of a new automobile loan for the standard American by $800.
• Threaten the retirement savings of 77,800 men and women close to retirement in MA-07, eliminating $20,000 from the standard 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 monetary catastrophe. Rep. Pressley has also joined her colleagues in urging Speaker McCarthy to let prompt floor consideration of legislation to raise the debt ceiling without having any extraneous policies attached.

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