Chairman Cleaver’s Statement on the Debt Ceiling Debate

Washington, DC – Chairman Emanuel Cleaver, II released the following statement on the debt ceiling debate:

 

“ I agree with President Obama that raising the debt ceiling is a moral imperative. Defaulting on our debt is beyond irresponsible and we cannot afford to play political games with our country’s financial future. Most importantly we should not force our most vulnerable communities to shoulder the responsibility for the crisis by cutting critical social programs that meet basic needs and provide essential services to our citizens.  Over 50% of Medicaid’s beneficiaries are children, and over 40% of African Americans over the age of 65 rely on Social Security as their sole source of income.  Significant cuts to these programs will have a detrimental effect on hard-working American families.

 

“As the Republican Leadership continues to display their unwillingness to compromise for the good of the American people, they are making it clear where their interests are—with the rich. I urge the Republican Leadership to think about the Americans who will be most affected by their decisions to play Russian Roulette with the debt ceiling. It is not fair to make life harder for those most in need, rather, it is our duty to protect them.”