Brooklyn Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) on Tuesday voted against the Default On America Act, saying that “this extreme MAGA Republican legislation presents Americans with an impossible choice: either House Republicans will wreck our economy or inflict cruel cuts that hurt everyday people.”
“Congress cannot let the devastating consequences of a national default come to fruition,” said Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants. “We have a responsibility to pay America’s debt, as well as support the critical services many vulnerable Americans depend on.
“It’s disgraceful that MAGA Republicans would neglect both of these vital duties for the sake of political brinkmanship,” she added. “I’m proud to stand alongside my fellow House Democrats in defense of commonsense and the best interests of America’s economy and communities.”
The congresswoman said that by refusing to act now to prevent a default, House Republicans are “threatening an economic disaster that will devastate everyday Americans.”
In NY-09, she said an extreme MAGA Republican default on the debt would: Kill 7,300 jobs as unemployment doubles; threaten the retirement savings of 90,800 people near retirement; put Medicare, Medicaid, and Veterans Affairs health benefits at risk for 390,000 people; and jeopardize Social Security payments for 81,000 of seniors.”
“But the Default On America Act is no alternative,” Clarke said. “In New York, the extreme House Republican scheme would put 1,287,000 people at risk of losing Medicaid coverage; threaten access to food assistance for 54,000 people aged 50-55; eliminate preschool and child care for at least 17,000 children; increase housing costs for at least 67,300 people; and make college more expensive for at least 397,600 students.”
She said House Democrats have already cut the deficit by historic levels and that President Biden’s budget reduces deficits by $3 trillion more over the next 10 years while investing in America – lowering costs by making child care, health care, and housing more affordable, supporting better schools, and strengthening our infrastructure.
