FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1 June 2023
Contact: Kevin McGuire, 202-538-2386 (mobile)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) released the below statement following her “no” vote last night on the package to raise the debt ceiling.
“President Biden did the best he could to limit the damage from the Republican’s extreme threats to devastate our economy. However, this compromise sets a dangerous precedent for future negotiations, imposes restrictions and cuts funding for programs Americans need, and weakens environmental protections that will primarily harm communities of color and low-income communities. That is why I voted against the bill.
The bill sets us back in achieving our environmental goals. It changes provisions in the National Environmental Policy Act that are intended to protect frontline communities across the country in their fight against polluting projects. And it approves the Mountain Valley Pipeline, despite its legal issues.
It hurts everyday Americans and spares the wealthy. It freezes federal investments for two years, funding will not increase with inflation. This means cuts for support services like rental assistance, mental health, childcare, and education services. This will lead to increased costs for the people who rely on these services. Finally, let us not forget about those that will go hungry under the SNAP changes. While people will struggle to put food on the table, the bill does nothing to address tax loopholes or ask the wealthy to pay their fair share of taxes.
I applaud the Biden Administration for their efforts to keep our historic climate investments in the Inflation Reduction Act intact and ensure no cuts to Medicaid or Social Security. But this compromise sets a dangerous precedent. This package was a political stunt forced by extreme Republican demands, and in the end, hurts American families and endangers communities like mine.”
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Nanette Diaz Barragán is proud to represent California’s 44th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Bellflower, Carson, Harbor City, Harbor Gateway, Lakewood, Long Beach, Lynwood, Paramount, Rancho Dominguez, San Pedro, South Gate, West Carson, and Wilmington. She serves as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Health, Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Minerals Subcommittees.