[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 82 (Tuesday, May 16, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H2354-H2355]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          NEGOTIATE IN GOOD FAITH ON THE NATION'S DEBT CEILING

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Pocan) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, Republicans aren't being honest when they 
tell you they are trying to negotiate in good faith on the Nation's 
debt ceiling.
  First, this shouldn't be a negotiation; it is paying our bills we 
have already spent. We have lifted the debt ceiling over 80 times 
before, including three times during President Trump's tenure because 
you have to pay your bills.
  Second, the legislation they passed, as an alleged negotiation, shows 
how drastic they would like to cut spending but can't because they 
can't even put specifics on paper, like the President and the Democrats 
have. They would love to cut programs drastically, but the cuts would 
hurt so many Americans they can't actually do it. That is why they 
haven't released a budget.
  I serve on the Appropriations Committee--let me explain what the 
Republicans want to do. They passed a bill to cut spending to fiscal 
year 2022 levels. That sounds innocuous enough, but here is what it 
actually means. Deep cuts.
  We have discretionary and nondiscretionary spending. We can't cut 
nondiscretionary spending like Social Security and Medicare because, 
well, it is your money that we hold on to as a public trust. By law, we 
can't cut nondiscretionary spending. That only leaves discretionary 
funds that can be changed.
  Discretionary funds are eligible for cuts or increases, but the GOP 
majority further limits that by saying they won't cut Pentagon 
spending, amounting to over half of the discretionary funds.
  That leaves a much smaller portion of the total budget to absorb all 
the cuts they propose, adding up to a 22 percent cut of all remaining 
funds. That is 22 percent of the funds that help veterans, 22 percent 
of the funds to protect the border, funds for Meals on Wheels programs, 
funds for railroad safety inspections, education, housing, and 
healthcare, all cut.
  Think about those levels of cuts and what that effect would have on 
you and your family. They talk a tough game on the border, but they 
would cut 22 percent of the funding going to protect the border. 
Cutting Border Patrol and Customs officers could increase the flow of 
people coming into the country and cut back on searches for fentanyl 
and other drugs at our points of entry.

[[Page H2355]]

  They say they want to back the blue and support our police, but 22 
percent cuts to Federal law enforcement and grants to local police 
departments are hardly the support they need.

                              {time}  1015

  They say they support our veterans--but cut veterans' food assistance 
programs and housing choice vouchers, hurting tens of thousands of 
veterans who have bravely served. Even the PACT Act that finally made 
it through Congress to help veterans exposed to toxic chemicals 
wouldn't get the funding needed to help those who served our Nation.
  It keeps going. 180,000 fewer children would have access to 
childcare; 10,800 fewer OSHA inspections of plants would expose workers 
to unsafe conditions. Drug treatment courts would lose funding, and 
29,000 fewer people would be able to get treatment for opioid 
addiction.
  There is a reason why they can't put out a full budget. It is because 
these types of cuts aren't workable.
  It is worse. If they do fund some areas, then other areas will see 
even deeper cuts--30 percent or more cuts in some of the areas I just 
mentioned. If they don't get these cuts, then they won't pay our 
Nation's current bills and will force our Nation into default.
  When you sign a mortgage, you can't decide whether or not you are 
going to send your monthly check. If you default, then you lose your 
house, and your credit is shot. The same is true for the Federal 
Government.
  You would also be directly affected by Republican default. Millions 
of people would lose their jobs. Interest rates for home buyers and 
small businesses would go up overnight. Stocks would tank, sinking your 
retirement investments.
  Congress has to pay its bills like you do, responsibly, and you do 
that by lifting the debt ceiling now. If not, then, Mr. President, 
invoke parts of the 14th Amendment to pay our bills and not damage the 
economy.
  Enough messing around. Get the job done, House Republicans. Your 
constituents deserve it.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to direct their remarks 
to the Chair.

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