“My colleagues throughout the aisle say that they care about seniors, veterans, youngsters, and households, however within the phrases of James Baldwin, ‘I can’t imagine what you say, as a result of I see what you do.’”

“Republicans proceed to manipulate in a method that’s clueless, callous, and with nice contempt, and I’d say godless, as a result of religion with out works is lifeless.”

Ground Speech (YouTube)

WASHINGTON – In an impassioned speech on the Home ground, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) blasted Republicans for holding the financial system hostage and threatening a default on our nationwide debt as they attempt to rip away healthcare and life-saving help for probably the most susceptible individuals.

A full transcript of her remarks is offered under and the total video is obtainable right here.

Transcript: Pressley Blasts GOP for Holding Financial system Hostage, Threatening Default on Nationwide Debt

U.S. Home of Representatives

Could 25, 2023

I rise at present on behalf of the tons of of 1000’s of individuals within the Massachusetts Seventh.

The only mother in Randolph who depends upon SNAP to feed her infants.

The disabled veteran in Chelsea who depends on SSDI.

Households in Roxbury struggling to pay hire and their mortgages.

My colleagues throughout the aisle say that they care about seniors, veterans, youngsters, and households, however within the phrases of James Baldwin, ‘I can’t imagine what you say, as a result of I see what you do.’

The Republicans proceed to manipulate in a method that’s clueless, callous, and with nice contempt, and I’d say godless, as a result of religion with out works is lifeless.

Republicans need us to make an not possible selection: excessive, drastic cuts to life-saving packages, or a catastrophic default on our debt—each of which might influence our most susceptible.

And it is a manufactured disaster. That could be a false selection.

If Republicans had even an oz of compassion. Democrats need to change and save lives and Republicans need to play with yours. And the American persons are at present in limbo due to it.

Cease taking part in with individuals’s lives. This isn’t a recreation. Cross a clear debt ceiling enhance.

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A Republican default on our debt would:

• Kill about 8,500 jobs in MA-07 alone. Nationwide, a default might kill greater than 7 million jobs.
• Jeopardize Social Safety funds for 64,000 households in MA-07.
• Put well being advantages in danger for 297,000 individuals in MA-07 who depend on Medicare, Medicaid, or Veterans Affairs well being protection.
• Improve lifetime mortgage prices for the everyday house owner in Massachusetts by $90,000.
• Increase the prices of a brand new automobile mortgage for the everyday American by $800.
• Threaten the retirement financial savings of 77,800 individuals close to retirement in MA-07, eliminating $20,000 from the everyday retirement portfolio.

Final week, Rep. Pressley joined her colleagues within the Congressional Progressive Caucus in urging President Biden to arrange to invoke his constitutional authority granted within the 14th Modification to uphold the total religion and credit score of the USA and finish Republican hostage taking of the financial system that might set off a monetary disaster. Rep. Pressley has additionally joined her colleagues in urging Speaker McCarthy to permit immediate ground consideration of laws to lift the debt ceiling with none extraneous insurance policies connected.

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