Valley Congressmen all vote 'yes' on debt bill
The three men representing the Valley in Congress, all Republicans, joined 311 other representatives in Washington late Wednesday voting “yes” on the debt ceiling bill to avoid default.
The bill now heads to the Senate with passage expected by the week’s end.
All of Ohio’s fifteen congressional members voted for the package, including Representative Bill Johnson, even though he called the bill “imperfect”.
“This legislation, a product of divided government and therefore far from perfect, takes several positive, important, incremental steps forward to improve our economy, improve the livelihood of those participating in it, and begin bending the Washington spending curve in the other direction,” said Johnson in a statement.
Although Johnson called for more cuts in federal spending, he said that the Fiscal Responsibility Act protects veterans’ benefits, and said it is the largest deficit reduction legislation in U.S. history.
Dave Joyce, whose 14th District includes Trumbull County, messaged that he “proudly voted yes” on the bill.
“Specifically, this legislation will reduce budget deficits by $1.5 trillion, improve our budgetary process, and spur economic growth,” said Joyce. “This bill also includes commonsense reforms to social welfare programs that will increase program integrity, while helping more able-bodied Americans enter the workforce — something Republicans across the political spectrum have long championed.”
All but two of Pennsylvania’s representatives voted for the bill, including Rep. Mike Kelly whose district includes Mercer County.
The only two Pennsylvania representatives voting against the bill included Democrat Summer Lee of Pittsburgh and Republican Scott Perry of Harrisburg.
Lee, a black woman, said the bill will make it harder for many of her constituents to access food and housing.
“My ‘NO’ vote today is to oppose the dangerous precedent the Republicans set through their willingness to risk the livelihoods of millions and the full faith and credit of the United States of America in order to force through dangerous policies and reward their billionaire donors,” said Lee in a statement.
Congressman Perry said his “no” vote was cast because he refuses to hand any president a “blank check”.
“President Biden is happily sending Americans over yet another fiscal cliff, with far too many swampy Republicans behind the wheel of a “deal” that fails miserably to address the real reason for our debt crisis: SPENDING,” Perry said in a statement.