[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 89 (Thursday, May 25, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H2612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          DEBT CEILING CRISIS

  (Ms. BUSH asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. BUSH. Madam Speaker, St. Louis and I rise against the Speaker of 
this House sending Members of Congress home on a break as he is taking 
our economy hostage in service of his dangerous, MAGA Republican agenda 
designed to gut social programs that save lives.
  We are on the brink of economic disaster because of a fabricated 
Republican ultimatum, and the Speaker has decided to send everyone 
home.
  This is not a game. Real people and real lives hang in the balance, 
but the Speaker seems intent on holding our economy hostage and 
rewarding himself with a break, as he is bringing us to the brink of a 
default that would devastate communities like mine in St. Louis.
  Just over 2 years ago, the Republican Party tried to hold our 
democracy hostage. Now they are holding our economy hostage. They are 
gambling with Social Security checks, with Medicare and Medicaid 
benefits, with food for children, and with people's rent money, and 
that is a bad deal.
  The Dems are here. The Dems are here. The Dems are here, and we are 
saying: Where are the Republicans? Sign the discharge petition.
  Madam Speaker, will you sign the discharge petition? Where are the 
Republicans? Sign the discharge petition.
  The Speaker needs to do his job.

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