WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA-02) issues this statement on his vote in support of the Budget Control Act of 2011 which will raise the debt ceiling:
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"Tough times call for strong leadership, and President Obama has provided that leadership by crafting an agreement that will allow us to wake up tomorrow, pay our bills and move on the critical task of improving our economy.
"The alternative to this deal was an unthinkable assault on every pocketbook and every American's checking account: Higher interest rates on mortgages, credit cards, car loans. Delayed payments to veterans, the disabled, older Americans and to small businesses with federal contracts. And deepening economic crisis.
"But what really is persuasive to me is the upside of this agreement: Finally, defense spending is on the table - just like the other so-called 'discretionary' programs - when the conversation turns to cutting the deficit. We have protected and increased education spending, especially the Pell Grant student loan program that had been imperiled.
"The joint debt reduction committee will undertake the very real imperative of cutting spending in a sensible way. The committee must make those cuts half domestic, half defense, and spread evenly over the years 2013 to 2021. And it must proceed in ways that protect Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
"As of today, we are no longer a nation held hostage, no longer in danger of becoming the world's greatest panhandler. As of tomorrow, we can get to work on jobs, jobs, jobs."
SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah
