John Yarmuth: “I know my constituents and most Americans are trying to figure out exactly what this debt ceiling crisis is. It can't be…”

“I know my constituents and most Americans are trying to figure out exactly what this debt ceiling crisis is. It can't be about a desire to cut spending because both sides have already agreed to more cuts than are on the table in either the Senate or the House. No, this is a politically induced crisis that the Republicans have created in order to force votes on the debt ceiling next year during a Presidential campaign and weaken the President. But I hope they realize that if they weaken President Obama, they weaken the Presidency as well. And if they succeed in defeating him next year, their candidate, their President, will face reduced stature in the world, just as our political system will face a reduced stature in the world. We are the foundation of economic and political stability around the world, and this crisis is threatening our stature in that position. We cannot let the Republican politically induced default crisis succeed. ____________________”