Murray Statement on Senate Passage of Debt Ceiling Legislation
ICYMI: Senator Murray Delivers Senate Floor Speech on Debt Limit Agreement– MORE HERE
***WATCH: Senator Murray’s full floor remarks***
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on Senate passage of debt ceiling legislation:
“Tonight, I joined my colleagues in voting to avoid a default that would have decimated our nation’s economy, families’ financial security, and the stability of the global economy.
“But let’s be crystal clear: the only reason we found ourselves just days away from economic catastrophe is that House Republicans decided to take our nation’s credit hostage to try and extract draconian cuts to programs that are a lifeline for struggling families and the lifeblood of our global leadership. Instead of working through the budget and appropriations process like we do every year, House Republicans threatened to tank our economy—openly talking about taking our economy and the American people ‘hostage.’ That is damning.
“Needless to say: this is not how this process should ever work. Taking hostages to demand severe and callous funding cuts is not how we should arrive at toplines for our spending bills, and it’s time we put an end to this dangerous brinksmanship once and for all by scrapping the debt ceiling at the next possible opportunity.
“I know the President pushed hard to hold the line on recent progress. But we have to be clear-eyed and honest about how this bill fails to meet our current moment. Because the funding decisions we make in the Senate are not just numbers on a page. They are investments in people, in families, in our communities, and ultimately: in our country’s future. And I am deeply concerned about how this legislation will limit our ability now to make the investments we need to help families succeed, keep communities safe, and keep our country on the cutting edge. I am determined to prevent us from ever being in this situation again and lessen the damage of these cuts at every opportunity.
“I am focused now on keeping our appropriations process moving forward in the Senate and doing absolutely everything I can to protect the investments that help working people get by and ensure this great country lives up to its promise. As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue to be a voice for working families all across our country.”
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