Today the House of Representatives voted to pass legislation (S. 365) that would force deep cuts to essential public services in exchange for an increase in the federal debt ceiling limit. Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security, voted against the bill and released the following statement:
"Who in Washington is listening to the American people? This proposal does not speak to the values of America--it is not balanced nor does it ask for shared sacrifice. It does nothing about the main drivers of our deficits: the Bush tax cuts, and the unfunded wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And it does nothing to fix the biggest deficit holding our economy back: the jobs deficit.
We owe it to those who built this country to protect Medicare and Social Security from being blindsided by future indiscriminate cuts. We owe it to our children--the future leaders of this great nation--to ensure they have every opportunity to a decent education. We owe it to the American people who sent us to Washington to listen to them and to represent their values. They deserve nothing less. That is why today I voted against S. 365."