Press Release
Twenty-one years ago today, the first President Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act. I was proud to help write this important law and work for its passage through Congress. The ADA made our nation a world leader in the inclusion of people with disabilities, and it came about because Republicans and Democrats, disability advocates and business leaders, all realized that we gain as a nation when we help all of our people live up to their potential.
Tonight President Obama clearly laid out why Republicans must work with us to ensure our nation can pay its bills and take balanced action to reduce the deficit. Democrats agree that we cannot simply kick the can down the road, as Speaker Boehner's proposal irresponsibly does. We must act now to give our economy and the markets certainty. Republicans have walked away from every proposal and have held our economy hostage for too long. With August 2 around the corner, it is time to reach agreement on a long-term solution.
What we're seeing, Lawrence, in my opinion, is a very sorry and irresponsible spectacle of holding America’s credit worthiness, and very frankly the interest of every American, hostage to an increase in the debt limit, which simply says America’s going to pay its bills. What has been offered by Speaker Boehner is a formula that he has rejected, and Mr. cantor have both rejected, saying that if we did just incremental, every six months or every eight months, it would keep the economy roiled and it wouldn't grow. And I think they were absolutely right then, but for political reasons simply to put the President in a corner, they have said no to every deal, to every compromise, to every effort to move this forward to adopt responsible policies which will protect the credit of the United States.
Today, both Majority Leader Reid and Speaker Boehner released proposals on America’s debt limit. Throughout negotiations over the debt limit, Democrats have been more than willing to make hard choices and compromise for the good of our nation, so that America can pay the bills it has incurred; by contrast, Republicans have repeatedly shown themselves willing to drive our nation into a job-destroying default unless they can succeed in enacting 100% of their ideological agenda.
The American public was concerned mainly about two things in this last election: jobs, trying to get opportunities for themselves and their children and young people to earn a living, and the deficit that confronts this country. Those were the two items that they were very focused on and concerned about, and I think almost everybody on this floor shares their concerns. I got no message from any voter that I ought to come to congress and undermine the air, water, and land that they survive on, recreate on, and rely on for the quality of their lives. Not one constituent, whether he or she voted for me or against me, said that we should undermine the protections of our land and water and air. Not one. However, that is what we're dealing with today: not jobs, not deficits, but undermining the integrity of our air, our water, and our land.
My thoughts are with all those injured and killed in yesterday's tragic attacks in Norway. In this time of need, America stands by its valued ally and friend, a nation that exemplifies our shared democratic values and ideals. I strongly condemn these heinous attacks and hope that all those wounded, and all those who have lost loved ones, find comfort.
I am extremely disappointed that once again Speaker Boehner and House Republicans have chosen to walk away from talks to reach a comprehensive deficit reduction plan. It is my understanding that Speaker Boehner made an offer for a long-term comprehensive solution, which he's stated he is for, and that the President supports. Unfortunately, included in Speaker Boehner’s offer was an unrelated demand that a portion of the Affordable Care Act be repealed - which would neither help America pay its bills or reduce the deficit.
Tomorrow marks the 200th day of Republican control of the House of Representatives and they have still not produced a comprehensive jobs plan. With millions of Americans out of work, Republicans have failed to put forth an agenda to create jobs, despite their campaign promises. We cannot afford to wait any longer.
Today, the Department of Defense certified the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ a discriminatory policy that weakened our military; the policy’s repeal will officially go into effect in 60 days. ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is coming to an end because the views of our troops, the judgment of our military leaders, and the experience of our allies has made one thing clear: open service by gay and lesbian troops does not harm military readiness or effectiveness. With this policy at an end, gay and lesbian troops can serve our country openly, and all Americans will benefit from their patriotism, service, and willingness to sacrifice. I was proud to take a leading role in the legislative struggle to end ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ because it was both the right and smart thing to do. May all of America’s men and women in uniform, gay and straight, continue to serve with the courage and honor characteristic of our Armed Forces.
As Republicans continue to dig their heels in, putting our economic security at risk in order to protect tax cuts for the wealthy, time is running out to ensure that we pay America’s bills and avoid the catastrophic consequences that default would have on our economy.