Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023

Floor Speech

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Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3746, the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.

This bill is not perfect. Some will say that it is not even good. But I say it is better than the extortion bill pushed through this House last month by this Republican majority that would have forced Congress to either default on paying our nation's bills or make devastating cuts that would hurt the health, safety, and well-being of the American people.

This bill prevents a default that would trigger an economic catastrophe, a global market panic, and a job killing recession.

The most egregious cuts that the Republicans originally proposed last month in their Default on America Act will be avoided.

Cuts that were originally proposed to the Toxic Exposure Fund created by the bipartisan PACT Act have been reversed as have the reductions in veterans' health care and benefits.

I have been very concerned about the cuts to rural development programs, nutrition for women and children, and funding for economically distressed farmers which have been reduced.

We must pay our debts and debate issues of spending and revenue through regular order and not under threat of default.

No, this bill is not perfect. And to many it may not be good. But it is a better way forward than the chaos and consequences of a first ever default on the full faith and credit of the United States.

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