Congresswoman Judy Chu | Official U.S. House headshot
Congresswoman Judy Chu | Official U.S. House headshot
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On May 31, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) voted against H.R. 3746, the Bipartisan Budget Agreement, and released the following statement:
“Today’s vote is an outrageous way to legislate and govern. I’m furious that extreme MAGA Republican colleagues of mine have ignored their constitutional responsibilities to protect the full faith and credit of the United States and instead chosen to take our economy hostage in order to score political points. A protracted national default would devastate the global economy and everyday Americans across the country, resulting in millions of jobs killed, Social Security checks halted, and skyrocketing costs of car loans and mortgages.
“Given this reality, I am appreciative President Biden has defended House Democrats’ accomplishments and values and negotiated in good faith with the Speaker to meet our constitutional obligation. The Bipartisan Budget Agreement prevents economic disaster, makes no changes to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and—unlike the extreme proposal by House Republicans to cut domestic funding by 22 percent—protects key services like education, housing, and veterans’ benefits.
“But I have deep concerns about the impact of this legislation on people who rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits, and I am disgusted that these Americans have been used as pawns in a Republican political game. This is the first expansion of work requirements for SNAP since 1996, and the fact of the matter is that with this bill, hundreds of thousands of people will be kicked off food assistance. Should this become law, I am committed to working with the Biden-Harris Administration to minimize the burden new red tape will have on historically marginalized communities and low-income people who need help affording food for their tables.
“We cannot trade one group of hungry Americans for another and call it policy-making. And we cannot set the precedent that every time America approaches a national default, Republicans will take the economy hostage and force the most vulnerable among us to pay the price. Let me be clear: we should never have gotten to this point, and bringing the nation to the brink of default cannot be the cost of governing in America. Ultimately, with deep regret, I voted against this measure.”
Issues: Small Business, Jobs and the Economy
Original source can be found here.
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