WASHINGTON, D.C. – On May 31, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement after the House passed H.R. 3746, the Bipartisan Budget Agreement.
“Today, I voted to avert a catastrophic default on the full faith and credit of our government. Passage of this bill with my aye vote will ensure our nation can pay its bills.
“As I have repeatedly warned, a U.S. default would have grave consequences on American families and trigger a recession. Millions of workers would lose their jobs; small businesses would shutter; and our global financial reputation would shatter—all while our adversaries, particularly China, watch with glee. Breaching the debt ceiling for the first time in U.S. history since the War of 1812 is not an option.
“Despite House Republicans’ reckless game of brinkmanship and attempts to gut critical programs, the final bipartisan agreement averts a catastrophic default while also shielding services Americans rely on from extreme cuts. To name a few, the agreement protects Medicaid and prevents efforts to end Social Security and Medicare; it protects veterans’ access to health care, like screening and treatment for exposure to toxic substances; and it protects the historic investments House Democrats made in clean energy and infrastructure.
“Even with these key protections, the bill reflects a compromise between a divided government that will blunt federal investments in worthy programs for the next two years. Nonetheless, the House fulfilled its duty to ensure the U.S. can pay its bills and maintain our nation’s position as a reliable government that backs up its obligations.
“With the June 5 deadline looming around the corner, the Senate must follow the House’s lead and swiftly pass this legislation.”
Original source can be found here.
