Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) issued the following statement in response to the passage of the Bipartisan Budget Agreement on Wednesday, May 31, in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The vote was 314 in favor, 117 against. The bill will go next to the U.S. Senate for consideration. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has estimated the government will run out of money by June 5 if the debt ceiling is not raised.
Kelly represents Homewood and Flossmoor in Congress.
“Despite an attempt by House Republicans to hold our nation’s economy hostage, I joined my colleagues tonight to avert economic catastrophe and pay our nation’s bills.
“Default is unacceptable. Such an outcome would trigger a job-killing recession and raise costs for working families. However, it is equally unacceptable that Republicans continue to respond with ransom notes when Congress must do its job and pay our bills. This is not how our government should operate.
“In the event of a default, an estimated 95,600 households currently receiving Social Security checks in Illinois’s Second Congressional District would be at risk, and my district would lose an estimated 6,800 jobs. I am pleased that President Biden successfully reached an agreement that preserves our nation’s economic well-being while protecting veterans’ benefits, Social Security, Medicare, and other critical programs.
“However, this painful process could have been avoided entirely if Republicans had not chosen politics over people. Black women, especially, will be disproportionately impacted by the GOP-driven spending cuts in this legislation — and I am prepared to assist any constituent who is adversely and unfairly impacted by these cuts.
“This bill is not perfect, but default would be far worse for our country. I am disappointed that we have reached this point, but I will always choose to do my job and deliver for my constituents.”