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WASHINGTON – Thursday, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued the following statement regarding her vote against H.R. 3746:
“For months, Speaker McCarthy and Republicans have held our economy hostage and presented the American public with a false choice: impose harmful cuts and restrictions on life-saving government programs or endure the economic catastrophe of a default on our national debt. While I have consistently supported raising the debt ceiling, I could not in good conscience support a bill that takes food away from hungry people, forces borrowers back into our broken student loan system, and perpetuates environmental injustice—while leaving the bloated defense budget intact and making it easier for the ultra-wealthy to avoid paying their fair share in taxes.
“I appreciate the White House’s efforts to protect key priorities and prevent a catastrophic default on our debt. To be clear: Republicans manufactured this crisis, and we should not be forced to choose between two unconscionable outcomes in which our most vulnerable communities would suffer the most.
“Republicans continue to demonstrate their contempt for the people, and we cannot allow them to continue playing cruel political games at the expense of our most vulnerable workers and families in the Massachusetts 7th and beyond. President Biden and Congress must use their respective authorities to abolish the debt ceiling and put an end to this dangerous gamesmanship once and for all.”
Wednesday, Rep. Pressley filed an amendment to the debt ceiling legislation to protect student loan borrowers and preserve the pause on federal student loan payments.
Last week, she delivered an impassioned speech in which she blasted Republicans for holding the economy hostage and threatening a default on our national debt as they try to rip away healthcare and life-saving assistance for the most vulnerable people.
Earlier his month, 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 full faith and credit of the United States and end Republican hostage taking of the economy that could trigger a financial catastrophe. Rep. Pressley has also joined her colleagues in urging Speaker McCarthy to allow prompt floor consideration of legislation to raise the debt ceiling without any extraneous policies attached. Earlier this year, Rep. Pressley joined her colleagues in urging President Biden, Leader Jeffries, and Leader Schumer to oppose extreme environmental rollbacks in must-pass legislation.
