Hirono Statement on Vote to Avoid Debt Default
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), released the following statement after voting to avoid default on the national debt:
“That America will pay its bills should not be questioned. And yet, MAGA Republicans not only questioned this constitutional responsibility, but engaged in hostage negotiations to massively cut government services seniors, keiki, and our communities rely on.
“Today, I voted to avoid a default on the national debt, which would have been catastrophic for our country, the global economy, and families across Hawaii. While I appreciate President Biden rejecting Republicans’ most extreme demands and preventing default, certain provisions in this bill take our country in the wrong direction, including those that increase work requirements for federal assistance and permit the Mountain Valley Pipeline.
“The House MAGA majority’s dangerous political brinksmanship shows all too clearly their willingness to hold our country hostage to advance their radical and harmful political agenda. This outrageous behavior must stop. Elections matter.
“Now that we’ve avoided default, we need to act to take the threat of default off the table moving forward. We cannot continue to allow the full faith and credit of the United States to regularly be taken hostage as a political weapon. Whether through legislative action, clarification of Section 4 of the 14th Amendment, or another path, eliminating the debt limit is critical in order to prevent these MAGA-manufactured crises moving forward. I’ll continue working with my colleagues to do exactly that.”
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