Political Quotes

“yesterday afternoon, Treasury Secretary Yellen released a letter updating congressional leadership about their latest forecast regarding default. The Treasury's projection remains unchanged: The Federal Government is in danger of failing to pay its bills as soon as June 1. Since last week's White House meeting, Democratic staff have in good faith held conversations with our Republican counterparts about the Nation's fiscal future. The talks are separate but simultaneous to our responsibility to avoid default. Democrats will not use the threat of default to get what we want. Nobody should use default as a hostage. Nobody should say: ``Unless you do this, then we default'' because the consequences of default will be devastating for ordinary Americans. We talked through the weekend; we talked yesterday; and both sides-- the staffs, that is--are talking today as well. And later this afternoon, I will join President Biden, House Leader Jeffries, Speaker McCarthy, and Leader McConnell at the White House. Democrats welcome a debate about this year's budget. For decades, both parties have regularly worked out their differences about spending and revenues throughout the appropriations process. That is what is happening right now while we separately but simultaneously work to avoid default. And, again, let me just repeat this because it is so important as we get closer to June 1. Nobody--nobody--should use default as a hostage.…”