DeLauro Floor Remarks on House Republicans’ Default on America Act

House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) today delivered the following remarks on the House Floor in opposition of the Default on America Act, House Republicans' harmful spending cuts and default bill:

Preventing default is an obligation that Congress has. My Republican colleagues are holding our economy hostage, linking it to the annual process of funding the critical programs that serve American families and veterans.

The price of averting a catastrophic default is drastic cuts to these programs now and severe caps for the next 10 years.

Republicans claim that veteran's health care would be protected. That is not the case.

For six hours during the Rules Committee meeting last night, I told House Republicans that veterans had no protections whatsoever in their debt default bill. Given the look on their faces, I believe I was the one to inform them of the immediate $2 billion rescission that robs veterans of timely access to health care services. I do not think they know what is in their own bill.

You know what they did after six hours of debate? Nothing for veterans.

You know what they did after hearing from dozens of veteran and military service organizations about the lack of protections in the bill? Nothing for veterans.

In the middle of the night, they made last-minute changes to win over Republican holdouts. You know what they did after going back to the drawing board? Nothing for veterans. Nothing to fix the $2 billion rescission. Nothing to protect veterans from the 22 percent cuts. Nothing to maintain our commitment to veterans who have been exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.

This is shameful. This default and cuts bill should not even come to this floor for a vote. Our veterans sacrificed for us. We owe them the benefits that they have already earned.

I urge my colleagues to vote no on this bill, and vote yes for veterans. And by voting no, you say yes to veterans.

A video of the remarks is available here.