Senator Whitehouse on Impending June Default, Republican Hostage-Taking

Press Release

"Republicans' failure to agree to cleanly raise the debt ceiling has brought the United States to the brink of economic catastrophe. Today, we learned that we are potentially within a month of a self-inflicted economic shock that could dwarf the Great Recession, and Republicans are holding our economy hostage, adding to economic instability.

"Their fast-track to default would permanently increase borrowing costs and delay payments to all Social Security recipients, the doctors and hospitals who see patients covered by Medicare and Medicaid, and millions of businesses. Veterans would see their hard-earned benefits at risk, and service members would no longer be guaranteed paychecks on time or in full. A default would almost certainly trigger a recession.

"Republicans' ransom note--the Default on America Act--demands cuts estimated to wipe out 780,000 jobs, raise costs for families, and shrink our economy by $146 billion next year alone. Hatched via backroom deals with fossil fuel overlords and dark money donors, it privileges polluters over people and even includes a budget-busting gift to wealthy tax cheats.

"Under Republican and Democratic administrations, both Republican- and Democratic-controlled Congresses have raised the debt ceiling without conditions because it is right for American families, for businesses, and for our entire economy.

"Hostage-taking is not the way this country governs. We must change course, cleanly raise the debt ceiling, and avert widespread economic pain and instability while we still can."

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