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Advocates Ramp Up Pressure on MAGA Republicans Ahead of Default Deadline, McCarthy’s 100th Day

Courage for America Bus Tour Stops in AZ, CA, CO, MO, and NC to tell MAGA Lawmakers to “Back Off Our Benefits”

Photos, Videos, and More Available Here

One week into its nationwide “Back Off Our Benefits” bus tour, Courage for America has traveled from coast to coast to demand that Republican lawmakers make a promise to the people they represent that they will not cut essential programs that Americans rely on — including Social Security, Medicare, SNAP, and veterans’ benefits.

From California to North Carolina, partners, advocates, and constituents have called out House Republicans for risking a major global economic crisis and putting American lives and livelihoods at risk by forcing a national default unless their extreme demands are met. The tour will conclude on April 17 in Washington, D.C. to mark Kevin McCarthy’s 100th day as House Speaker with a press conference at the U.S. Capitol.

 

Here’s what you need to know about the bus tour this week:

Coloradans Call Out Boebert, MAGA Lawmakers for Playing Politics:

Courage for America was joined by Rocky Mountain Values, the Colorado Alliance for Retired Americans, and constituents in Durango to urge Rep. Lauren Boebert (CO-03) to promise those she represents that House Republicans will not jeopardize benefits that help low-income families, seniors, veterans, and countless other Coloradans make ends meet.

Speaking on behalf of the Colorado Alliance for Retired Americans, Jean Walter challenged Speaker McCarthy and Rep. Boebert and demanded that they “Stop with the political games [and] don’t risk our economy by failing to raise the debt limit.”

You can watch the Durango event here, high quality audio is available here, and additional photos can be found here.

 (All images free for use with credit to Courage for America)

Veterans, Advocates Urge Rep. Smith To Protect Their Benefits:

At Kiener Plaza in St. Louis, advocates demanded that Rep. Jason Smith (MO-08) promise not to cut funding for lifesaving programs that Americans rely on while the default deadline looms—including Social Security, Medicare, and veterans’ benefits.

“Social Security Disability Insurance was and continues to be here, not only for myself, but for over 26,000 constituents from MO-08—citizens that are part of Rep. Jason Smith’s district,” said Jessica Motsinger, a U.S. Navy veteran and Common Defense member who called on House Republicans to protect her benefits. “We’re asking Rep. McCarthy and Rep. Smith to honor their oath.”

You can watch the St. Louis event here, high quality audio is available here, and additional photos can be found here.

(All images free for use with credit to Courage for America)

North Carolinians Blast Reps. Edwards, Hudson, and McHenry for House Majority’s Extreme Agenda:

Making its way to the East Coast this week, the “Back Off Our Benefits” bus tour made several stops in North Carolina on Friday and Saturday to continue ramping up pressure on MAGA lawmakers threatening to cut federal benefits like SNAP and Social Security.

“It’s clear that […] the current leadership’s priorities are not aligned with those of most Americans,” said Representative Eric Ager (HD-114) in Asheville. “As we approach the 100th day of McCarthy’s tenure as Speaker, we really have to speak out [..] to make sure that they’re doing the work necessary to ensure American success. I call on our representative Chuck Edwards to push back against this effort in the House to take our country to the brink of default and risk an economic crisis, really just to score some petty political points.”

You can watch the Asheville event here, high quality audio is available here, and additional photos can be found here. 

“Republicans, especially here in North Carolina, have voted against veterans’ care time after time,” said Skyleigh Heinen, a disabled U.S. Army veteran. “Cutting any much-needed funding for veterans’ health care would be sacrificing those who served for the benefit of protecting the rich. I could not imagine how I would survive.”

You can watch the Charlotte event here, high quality audio is available here, and additional photos can be found.

(All images free for use with credit to Courage for America)

Later today, Courage for America will also join constituents in Raleigh who will ask Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-09) directly to sign the promise to his constituents that he won’t cut their hard-earned benefits.

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