Congresswoman Barbara Lee Votes in Favor of Senator Reid's Plan

”By unnecessarily and wrongfully linking the raising of our debt ceiling with their extreme Tea Party agenda, the Republicans have brought our country to the brink of default. Their willingness to play politics with our economy is astounding and should be deeply troubling to all. 

“While I disagree with much of the Reid bill, I voted yes on H.R. 2693 because I believe we must address this Republican-created crisis.   And while it was clear from the outset that the Republicans scheduled this vote merely for political purposes, many Members, myself included, are deeply concerned about the impact large cuts to discretionary spending while protecting the bloated Pentagon budget, and without attention to revenue. The Congress should pass a clean debt ceiling bill and then get to work on reasonably balancing the budget and creating jobs for the American people, which will grow our economy.

“We cannot and will not be held hostage by the Republican right wing agenda to dismantle the middle class and shred the safety net for the poor and most vulnerable while protecting big banks, big oil and big corporations that send our jobs overseas.  

“Given the increasing concerns that a legitimate bipartisan compromise to raise our debt ceiling can be crafted in 48 hours, today I joined many of my colleagues in expressing our support for the President using the 14th amendment power in this time of national emergency to raise our nation’s debt ceiling if necessary.”

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