On the recordMay 15, 2023
Mr. President, I want to say a very special thank-you to Chairman Wyden for coming here tonight to talk about the consequences of default. Our whole Nation needs to tune in and pay attention to this because this is literally about the future of our country. Kevin McCarthy and House Republicans are holding America's economy hostage. Even worse, the Republicans are holding America's good name around the world and America's promise that we pay our debts hostage. Instead of passing an increase in the debt ceiling, Republicans have put forward a set of incredibly damaging proposals that would hurt families around the country, proposals that are so unpopular that the only way that Republicans could possibly pass these proposals is to threaten to derail the entire economy if they don't get their way. Now, let's be clear. Kevin McCarthy is the only one who will not take default off the table. Joe Biden has said no default. Chuck Schumer has said no default. Hakeem Jeffries has said no default. Even Mitch McConnell has said no default. But Kevin McCarthy is still driving this Nation toward default.…





