[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 89 (Thursday, May 25, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H2609]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          DEBT CEILING CRISIS

  (Ms. LEE of California asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, extreme MAGA Republicans have 
manufactured a crisis and are now extorting the American people with a 
terrible choice. Either they inflict cruel cuts that hurt everyday 
families, or they are forcing or trying to force a devastating default 
on our debt.
  They are gambling with working people's livelihoods and the global 
economy, driving us to the brink of economic catastrophe.
  It is all because they would rather have working people bear the 
burden of these terrible cuts instead of making billionaires and big 
corporations pay their fair share in taxes.
  Madam Speaker, make no mistake. Our constituents are watching, 
especially those in Speaker McCarthy's district, where 75,000 people 
would lose Social Security payments; 285,000 people's healthcare 
benefits would be at risk; and the retirement savings of 89,000 people 
would be in jeopardy, not to mention the number of veterans who would 
lose their healthcare in Speaker McCarthy's district.
  Madam Speaker, from day one, Democrats have been the most responsible 
and the loudest voices in defending working families from Republicans' 
extreme behavior. We will continue to call out these games and hostage 
taking. We must pay our bills.

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