DeKalb GA News

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) voted against the Default On America Act. This extreme MAGA Republican legislation presents Americans with a terrible choice: either House Republicans will wreck our economy or inflict cruel cuts that hurt everyday people.

“Congress must pay our bills and prevent a devastating default on our debt. But House Republicans are threatening to wreck our economy unless they can force cruel cuts that hurt families in Georgia Fourth, which is exactly why I voted against the Default On America Act,” said Rep. Johnson. “My fellow House Democrats and I are ready to act now to prevent a default on our debt, continue our historic deficit reduction, and responsibly invest in America to lower costs and create better paying jobs. It is time for extreme MAGA Republicans to stop the political games and save our economy.”

By refusing to act now to prevent a default, House Republicans are threatening an economic disaster that will devastate everyday Americans. In Georgia's Fourth, an extreme MAGA Republican default on our debt would:

•    Kill 8,000 jobs as unemployment doubles;

•    Threaten the retirement savings of 91,400 people near retirement;

•    Put Medicare, Medicaid, and Veterans Affairs health benefits at risk for 231,000 people; 

•    Jeopardize Social Security payments for 75,000 seniors.

•    Cut at least 190 rail safety inspection days in Georgia.

•    Repeal investments in cleaner, cheaper energy — threatening at least 11,546 clean energy and manufacturing jobs announced in Georgia since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act.

But the Default On America Act is no alternative. In Georgia, the extreme House Republican scheme would:     

•    Threaten access to food assistance for 23,000 people aged 50-55;

•    Eliminate preschool and childcare for at least 9,700 children;

•    Increase housing costs for at least 16,800 people; and

•    Make college more expensive for at least 219,600 students.

House Democrats have already cut the deficit by historic levels and President Biden’s budget reduces deficits by $3 trillion more over the next 10 years while investing in America – lowering costs by making childcare, health care, and housing more affordable, supporting better schools, and strengthening our infrastructure.

Original source can be found here.