Hoyer Statement on Senate Passage of Legislation to Pay America's Bills, Reduce the Deficit

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement after the Senate passed legislation to reduce the deficit and ensure America can pay its bills:

"Today, the Senate passed legislation ensuring that our nation will pay the bills it has incurred and avoid a default on its debt, which would have been an economic catastrophe. It also cuts spending by $1.2 trillion and establishes a bipartisan committee tasked with agreeing by year's end on an additional $1.5 trillion in deficit reduction. Democrats worked hard to make sure that this agreement preserves Medicare and Social Security, protects Medicaid and other programs for the most vulnerable, and phases in cuts over the next decade to minimize harm to our economic recovery.

"It is absolutely essential that the members of the bipartisan committee put every aspect of our budget on the table and work together to arrive at a balanced solution, which shares the burden of deficit reduction fairly among all Americans, including the best-off. That is what the American people expect.

"Now that the debate on paying our bills is over, it is time for Republicans to stop ignoring jobs and the economy. Democrats have remained focused on efforts to create jobs for the millions of Americans out of work through our Make It In America plan, a legislative plan aimed at strengthening American manufacturing, creating jobs, and boosting working families. I hope when Congress returns to session in September, Republicans will work with us to move the Make It In America plan forward."