PHOTOS/VIDEO: House Dem Leadership, Advocates, and Constituents Demand House Republicans Back Down From MAGA Default Catastrophe
Whip Katherine Clark: “[MAGA Republicans] manufactured a crisis so they could bully and threaten the very people they were sent to Washington to represent”
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, key members of House Democratic leadership joined Courage for America and advocates from across the country to demand that the MAGA House answer for threatening a catastrophic default unless Congress slashes critical healthcare, veterans’ benefits, law enforcement, and education funding. Speakers included Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA), Chairman Pete Aguilar (D-CA), DPCC Chair Joe Neguse (D-CO), Appropriations Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA), Mayor Santos Garcia (Madera, CA), veterans, and constituents of Republican members from four competitive districts — VA-02 (Kiggans), CA-13 (Duarte), NY-19 (Molinaro), and NY-22 (Williams).
“The blame rests squarely on the shoulders of the so-called Republican moderates who voted for the Default on America Act,” said Chairman Aguilar. “They had a choice — they could have voted with the American people to protect seniors and veterans and school teachers, but instead, they joined hands with Marjorie Taylor Green and George Santos to impose devastating cuts.”
The press conference is part of a growing pressure campaign from Courage for America and others to hold Speaker McCarthy and the MAGA House accountable for the default crisis.
(All images free for use with credit to Courage for America)
Chairman Pete Aguilar (D-CA) speaks at Courage for America’s “MAGA’s Fault if We Default” press conference at the Capitol
Mayor Santos Garcia of Madera, CA calls out his representative, Congressman John Duarte (R-CA), for backing the MAGA default plan and holding Americans’ benefits hostage
Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) speaks at Courage for America’s “MAGA’s Fault if We Default” press conference at the Capitol
Mayor Santos Garcia (Madera, California):
“I am asking Congress to pass an agreement in a bipartisan fashion so we do not affect the people of my district and across the United States. Because what happens in Madera affects us all throughout the United States.”
Maurice Hawkins, Air Force veteran and constituent of Rep. Kiggans (VA-02):
“How a member of Congress votes is a reflection of their values. And with Congresswoman Kiggans voting for the Default on America Act, she is saying she doesn’t value the veterans and military families of this great nation.”
Corporal Brandon Rumbaugh, Marine veteran and advocate:
“Instead of adding more money to these [veteran support] programs, we’re going to take them away. And in my opinion, that is one of the most selfish and detrimental things we can do — not only to our veterans but to our country.”
Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA):
“This is about ideology versus responsibility; this is about politics versus people; this is about extremism versus common sense. The MAGA Republicans want the American people to make an impossible choice: accept devastating cuts or a devastating default. They manufactured a crisis so they could bully and threaten the very people they were sent to Washington to represent.”
For questions or additional commentary, please contact [email protected].
###