McCollum Votes to End Debt Limit Crisis; Reduce Deficits

Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov

As Tuesday's Debt Crisis Deadline Looms, House Republicans Defeat Sen. Reid's Budget Control Act and Take Sunday Off to Relax

Washington, DC – Today, Republicans U.S. House of Representatives defeated the latest version of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's Budget Control Act (H.R. 2693), a measure to raise the debt limit and reduce budget deficits over the next decade by a vote of 173 to 246. The legislation increases the debt limit by $1.2 trillion, ending the Republican manufactured crises, and included $2.2 trillion in deficit reduction according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, without cutting Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid.

The following is a statement by Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-MN) following her vote in favor of H.R. 2693:

"Today, I voted for Majority Leader Reid's plan because I am committed to preventing a debt default that would harm every single family and business in America. This legislation protected Social Security and Medicare and it cuts $1 trillion from future deficits by guaranteeing an end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan."

"House Republicans overwhelmingly rejected the Reid plan even though it would put an end to this dangerous default debate and significantly cut deficits by trillions of dollars. The Republican majority did not give this serious bill serious consideration. They brought it to the floor under rules that require a two-thirds majority to pass – the process designated for noncontroversial measures such as naming post offices."

"This means House Republicans have rejected one of the few solutions left for solving the default crisis they created. The American economy cannot withstand any more of these Republican political games. With time is running out to raise the debt ceiling and protect the economy it is time for any reasonable, responsible, mature members of the Republican caucus to come forward to work with Democrats to end this crisis.

"Today's Wall Street Journal editorial articulated the reality of what I am seeing in Congress: 'Republicans are not looking like adults voters can entrust with government.'"

Congresswoman Betty McCollum serves on the House Appropriations and Budget Committees.

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