Seeks Resolution That Avoids Default on Government
Debt
Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) met with President Barack
Obama and the House Democratic Caucus Wednesday afternoon to discuss a
resolution to the government shutdown and the upcoming debt ceiling deadline.
The House will meet over the weekend as Democrats continue to push for a clean
continuing resolution to fund the government and a clean increase in the debt
limit to prevent the United States from defaulting on its debts.
"These are challenging times, but I believe that we
can find a solution without further jeopardizing our economy or the full faith
and credit of the United States," Langevin said. "The President is
committed to reaching an agreement, and I feel strongly that there is
bipartisan support for a simple and straightforward bill to reopen the
government if Speaker Boehner would allow an up or down vote in the House. The
piecemeal funding measures we have seen over the past week are transparent
attempts to mitigate the political fallout over the shutdown, but they have
only stood to prolong this manufactured crisis that has very real consequences
on our economy and on the American people."
Democrats have made repeated attempts to bring up for
consideration a continuing resolution that is not tied to the Affordable Care
Act, but House Republican leadership continues to thwart these efforts. A
continuing resolution would reopen the government, putting hundreds of
thousands of federal employees back to work, resuming critical loans to small
businesses and ensuring that Americans can access government services and
benefits without delay or interruption.
"I have heard, over and over, a Republican battle
cry that we are not willing to negotiate. That is patently false. We have
compromised. Now, it's the Republicans' turn," Langevin said, referencing
the Senate-passed continuing resolution that represents $217 billion less in
discretionary spending than President Obama's original budget proposal.
"Enough is enough. The Affordable Care Act is the law of the land, and it
is time that Republicans stop using it as a bargaining chip. The budget and
health care reform are separate issues, and right now we must focus on passing
a bill that will get the government back to work.”
“Just as importantly, we must address the impending debt
limit, as a failure to quickly do so will wreak untold havoc on not only
America’s economy, but the world’s as well,” Langevin continued. “Once those
urgent issues are addressed, my Democratic colleagues and I would welcome
taking the next step of sitting down and negotiating a host of other issues,
including our long-term budget priorities, tax reform and potential
improvements to our health care system.”