Fiscal Responsibility
Over the years, Democrats have shown our commitment to restoring fiscal responsibility by taking actions that have reduced our national deficit while investing in the American people’s priorities. During the 117th Congress, House Democrats delivered the landmark Inflation Reduction Act, which will reduce the deficit by over $300 billion while lowering health care and energy costs and taking action on climate change. In sharp contrast, Republicans jammed their 2017 Trump Tax Scam through Congress without a single hearing, gifting trillions of dollars in unpaid-for tax handouts to the wealthiest Americans and large corporations while leaving our nation with ballooning deficits. They have repeatedly held our economy hostage to benefit their irresponsible ideological agenda, whether creating artificial “fiscal cliffs,” shutting down the government, or bringing our nation to the brink of defaulting on its obligations. With other landmark legislation delivered during the 117th Congress, including the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the CHIPS and Science Act, Democrats have worked to invest in economic recovery, job creation, all while cutting the deficit in half last year. Democrats are committed to continuing our work to restore sound, long-term fiscal management so future generations can afford to invest in opportunities, secure the American Dream, and ensure workers have the tools to Make It In America.
Even as they put forward legislation to continue the irrational sequester and defund the Affordable Care Act, House Republicans still can’t stop fighting amongst themselves. Here is the latest round of the GOP chaos:
ICYMI, USA Today weighed in on the GOP’s dangerous debt ceiling games:
“As was the case during the last debt-ceiling debacle, in 2011, playing politics with the nation's creditworthiness is irresponsible and unnecessary.”
We’re not the only ones opposing Speaker Boehner’s reckless tactic to hold our nation’s creditworthiness hostage as Republicans prepare to play political games with the debt limit. From the New York Times:
Despite warnings from economists, House Republicans are once again ready to play games with our nation’s debt limit and risk yet another credit downgrade. Looks like old habits die hard. According to the New York Times:
We’ve already passed along news about how the sequester is hurting public defenders, but this week, the top federal judges in 49 states warned that in addition to slowing down the courts’ process and justice system, the impacts of the sequester will extend beyond the courts and weaken public safety in cities around the country. As the
MESSAGE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP
I’m extremely disappointed that House Republicans failed to address a number of the critical issues facing Congress before they adjourned for the August district work period.
“I thank the Ranking Member of the Rules Committee, my friend, Ms. Slaughter, for yielding. I want to say I have a great deal of respect for the Gentleman from Oklahoma. But I say that this House is not working.
“Today’s remarks by the President underscore both the enormous progress we have made over the past four years toward economic recovery as well as how much more work remains in order to restore economic security for the middle class and those striving to reach the middle class. While our markets are doing well, jobs are being created each month, and the housing market is in recovery, too many Americans remain out of work, and many middle-class families are still struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living.
We guess we shouldn’t be shocked at this point: despite numerous warnings about the possible harm to our economy, businesses, and families, Republicans still are willing to play games with the debt ceiling.
According to an article in POLITICO:
“Mr. Speaker, I have come to this Floor nearly every week since the sequester took effect in March to highlight its dangerous consequences to our national security, its harmful impact on our economy, and the pain it is causing to the most vulnerable people in our country.