Hoyer Statement on the Republican Debt Ceiling Proposal

Statement

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today in response to a Republican proposal to increase the federal debt limit for three months:

"Sadly, with today's proposal we see a continuation of putting politics before policy, which the Republican majority pursued with a vengeance in the last Congress. To my knowledge, no responsible Republican leader believes that default will be anything other than disastrous.

"Therefore, we ought to pass a clean debt ceiling increase to give certainty to our economy and the international community, and to avoid any possibility of a downgrade of America's credit.

"As I've said, a debate on how to reduce our deficits and debt is appropriate and will occur. However, the creditworthiness of the United States should not be held hostage to that debate. It harms the economy, impedes the growth of jobs, and it continues to confirm the lack of faith Americans have in their Congress.

"I hope Republicans will change course and work with us to ensure our nation does not default on its obligations, even as we work on a balanced plan to reduce our deficits."

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