[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 165 (Thursday, September 23, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S6665]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                       Business Before the Senate

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, first, let me say thank you to the few 
remaining colleagues, but everyone else also, for staying here late 
into the evening as we continue to confirm these important nominees to 
the Biden administration.
  Now, in a few moments, I will be filing cloture on the continuing 
resolution that was passed by the House of Representatives this week. 
The resolution is the answer for avoiding numerous fast-approaching 
crises on the horizon, including an unnecessary government shutdown and 
a first-ever default on our country's sovereign debt.
  Members should be advised the cloture vote will take place this 
coming Monday. Every single Member in this Chamber is going on record 
as to whether they support keeping the government open and averting a 
default or support shutting us down and careening our country toward a 
default.
  At the end of the day, frankly, the only thing that matters in the 
legislative body is how you vote. It is what our constituents sent us 
here to do.
  Now, our Republican colleagues say they don't want a shutdown. They 
say they don't want a credit default. They say they want hurricane aid. 
Then the answer is simple. Just vote yes on this bill, and it will all 
get done.
  But if Republicans vote no, as many of them are saying they will, the 
Republican Party will solidify itself as the party of default--the 
party of default. They will endanger every single American in this 
country, including those who rely on Social Security and Medicare 
benefits. They will hurt small businesses, pensioners, and our 
veterans.
  If my Republican colleagues want to help the American people avoid 
calamity, they can vote yes to keep the government open. They can vote 
yes on suspending the debt limit. It is in their hands.
  But come Monday, if Republicans vote in favor of a shutdown and 
default, the American people will see exactly who is responsible for 
throwing our country in crisis. There will be the President requesting 
this bill, the House having passed the bill, the majority putting this 
bill on the floor, and then the Republicans blocking it. Who is 
responsible for the default?

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