Bonamici Statement on Debt Ceiling Vote

WASHINGTON, DC [05/31/23] – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) released the following statement after voting against the Bipartisan Budget Agreement.

“It would be devastating for our country to default, but I could not in good conscience vote for a plan to lift the debt ceiling that would harm some of the most vulnerable people in our country and undermine bedrock environmental laws. Although I am grateful that the deal doesn’t include some of the House GOP’s most egregious demands—such as gutting Medicaid and repealing clean energy tax credits—the budget cuts and burdensome work requirements will harm the people safety net programs like SNAP are designed to help. The bill also makes changes to environmental laws that would set us back on protecting clean air and water and transitioning to clean energy. It restarts payments on student loans without putting a safety net in place for vulnerable borrowers. And all of the budget cuts are made from programs other than defense, for which spending is actually increased.

“Instead of voting for a clean debt ceiling bill, which they did multiple times during the Trump Administration, the House GOP has brought us to the brink of default —something that has never occurred in U.S. history. Many of the provisions included in the deal are legislative changes Republicans could not get through the regular legislative process. We cannot normalize the hostage-taking of the debt ceiling as a negotiation tactic. The debt ceiling is about paying our existing bills— debts that accrued under both Democratic and Republican presidents. It is abhorrent that Republicans would jeopardize the full faith and credit of the United States to push through policies that hurt everyday Americans.

“I will continue to engage in good-faith discussions about spending and responsible management of our country’s debt. What I cannot do is support draconian cuts that hurt seniors, children, low-income families, and the environment.”

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