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Rep. Napolitano Votes against Republican Default Bill

July 29, 2011

(Washington, DC) Today, Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA) voted against S. 627, the Republican default bill presented by House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), which contains $905 billion in cuts without any increases in revenues and mandates another $1.6 trillion in cuts, a constitutional amendment vote and another debt stand-off within the next few months.

“Speaker Boehner’s bill threatens to cut critical programs for working families and seniors in order to protect unnecessary tax breaks and loop holes for oil companies and millionaires,” Napolitano said. “Threatening to cut Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security to pay down the debt at a time when corporate profits are higher than ever is an outrage. We need parity – all of us must feel the pain, not just those who can least afford it.

“Republicans are holding our nation’s economy hostage to meet their demands. Defaulting on our debt could mean a lower credit rating, economic damage and even more Americans out of work. The cost of owning a house, filling up a tank of gas, or sending a child to college would all go up at a time when many of our families are already struggling to hold onto their jobs and their homes.

“In America, we expect our leaders to put politics aside and work together without threatening a national disaster to get their way. The Republican ‘my way or no way’ attitude must give way to a saner, more objective dialogue to protect those we represent.

“This crisis has already shaken the world’s confidence in our country, and forcing a second round of debt talks a few months from now, as this bill does, will only increase this uncertainty and make the problem worse. Real solutions require real compromise, and I urge my Republican colleagues to put responsibility ahead of ideology before it is too late.”

The Republican default bill was scheduled for a vote yesterday before being abruptly withdrawn due to lack of support. The version voted on today added a provision that requires the House and the Senate to pass and send the states a balanced budget constitutional amendment within six months or else trigger a national default when spending authority runs out.

The bill now goes to the Senate, where Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has said it will be rejected.

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Issues:Economy