On the recordMay 9, 2013
I am offering this amendment today as the final amendment, which will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to final passage, as amended. Madam Speaker, the American people want us to work together-- Republicans and Democrats--to reduce our debt, pay our bills, and avoid an economic catastrophe, which would result from default. But how can Democrats work with the Republican leaders of this House when their plan for America is to default? Madam Speaker, Republicans today proved this by bringing forth this legislation, which presumes it will happen and maps out not if but what happens when the United States defaults. Their plan ensures that foreign creditors such as China, Japan, and OPEC countries Iran and Saudi Arabia would continue to get paid while we halt other payments to groups of Americans who have earned those benefits. This bill prioritizes Chinese lenders ahead of American seniors and veterans and college students. That's why it's called the Pay China First Act. The House Republican bill would stop pay for 1.4 million Active Duty troops and almost 800,000 activated Reserves and National Guards.…
