[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 72 (Friday, April 28, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H2106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  PASS A CLEAN DEBT LIMIT INCREASE NOW

  (Ms. TOKUDA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. TOKUDA. Mr. Speaker, this week, I voted against the default on 
America act, a reckless debt limit proposal that would force Americans 
to suffer through pandemic-level economic pain once again because of 
brutal spending cuts put forth by House Republicans.
  The default on America act would buy us less than a year's reprieve 
from default on the backs of hardworking American families, ``keiki, 
kupuna,'' ``children, seniors,'' and veterans. The 22 percent across-
the-board cuts for critical safety net programs would mean 13 million 
fewer health visits for our veterans; 300,000 children would lose Head 
Start slots and families' access to childcare; and 1 million seniors 
would get kicked off Meals on Wheels. The list goes on.
  We need to put people over politics. We cannot afford to gamble with 
the lives and livelihoods of everyday Americans. Instead of these 
``pilau,'' ``rotten,'' cuts, we should be focused on ending child 
hunger, keeping people housed, taking care of kupuna, and improving 
access to veteran services.
  The Treasury says we have less than 60 days until our Nation is 
expected to default on our loans. America is waiting for us to do the 
right thing and pass a clean debt limit increase now.

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