Lloyd Bentsen: “I join my colleague from Texas, Mr. Doggett, in introducing this privileged resolution and in urging its approval so…”

“I join my colleague from Texas, Mr. Doggett, in introducing this privileged resolution and in urging its approval so that the U.S. Government can keep paying its bills and not default for the first time in its history. There is no question in my mind that the dignity and the integrity of this House and the reputation of every one of us would be irreparably harmed if we allowed our Government to default. And it would be especially irresponsible for this House to recess and leave town with this threat of default hanging over our Government. The creditworthiness of the United States should not be a pawn in a political game or a point of leverage to force huge cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, and education to pay for a tax cut we can't afford.”