Political Quotes

“In closing, I would just like to reiterate five key points: One, our current national debt exceeds $17 trillion, an amount that is greater than our annual GDP, the size of our economy. Two, while I and so many others in my party agree with many of my colleagues across the aisle that risking default is irresponsible, it is just as irresponsible to ignore why our debt is so darn high and what it means for the future of our country. Three, we can and must work across partisan lines to avoid default in conjunction with a debt ceiling vote or a default related to a continued failure to address the largest drivers of our debt; and we must begin that work now, not at the last minute, or the next self- imposed fiscal deadline. Four, those who have served here for decades have known for decades that our population was growing older, that health care costs were rising, and that our long-term fiscal trajectory was unsustainable; but nothing has happened. Five, this recognition that Washington continually misses opportunities to put our country on a path to fiscal health ought to be something on which we can all agree. I urge all my colleagues who want to see our country address our long-term challenges before it is too late to vote ``yes'' on this resolution of disapproval. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Joyce). All time for debate has expired. Pursuant to the statute, the previous question is ordered.…”