[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 89 (Thursday, May 25, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H2620]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          DEBT CEILING CRISIS

  (Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Madam Speaker, the well-being of the American 
people should never be used as a political bargaining chip, but that is 
exactly what House MAGA Republicans are doing.
  Yesterday, my friend Matt Gaetz, who appears to be the lead MAGA debt 
ceiling negotiator, let the cat out of the bag when he told us that 
most of his caucus: ``Don't feel like we should negotiate with our 
hostage.''
  Who is the hostage that MAGA Republicans have tied to a chair and 
left in the basement while they leave to enjoy the holiday weekend?
  It is none other than the American people and our economy.
  Why are they doing it after voting three times for a clean debt 
ceiling under Donald Trump?
  Because they want to ruin the economy, blame it on President Biden, 
and pave the way to reelect their savior, Donald Trump.
  How despicable.
  We need five Republicans to sign the discharge petition so the House 
can vote on a clean debt ceiling bill and continue moving our Nation 
forward.

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