Cleveland Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C.– On May 31, in a bipartisan vote, the House of Representatives passed The Fiscal Responsibility Act (H.R. 3746), the compromise reached by President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) voted for the legislation which avoids a catastrophic default, maintains signature Democratic priorities including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act, fully funds veterans’ medical care, and protects vital programs such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act.

Congresswoman Brown released the following statement:

“My vote in favor of the Fiscal Responsibility Act avoids a disastrous, first-ever default on our debt, protects Ohio families, and keeps building on the progress President Biden and Democrats in Congress have delivered over the last three years. It’s a compromise – but I owe it to my constituents to act responsibly and build on our significant achievements. The Republican alternative -- deep cuts or a default -- would hit places like Northeast Ohio the hardest, and I won’t let that happen. 

“The White House and House Democrats fought hard to protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. We defeated Republican efforts to cut veterans’ medical care, childcare, education, and more. We locked in budget levels that, although not at the levels I would have preferred, avoid the drastic cuts Republicans passed in the Default on America Act.

“Frankly, this legislation should never have been necessary – but House Republicans held the full faith and credit of the United States hostage, risking a recession, a financial crisis, and massive job losses. Passing this bill means we can move past threats, uncertainty, and Republicans’ irresponsible position and get back to doing the people’s work.  

“I am outraged that Speaker McCarthy and House Republicans drew a line in the sand and demanded work requirements for more SNAP recipients and created more red tape for TANF. Leaving people hungry will not help our economy, create jobs, or balance the budget, as Republicans claim was their objective.

“As a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, I will continue to fight hunger in our communities and push to improve, modernize, and expand our nutrition assistance programs. I will also continue to use every tool at my disposal to bring federal investment, grants, and resources to Northeast Ohio.”

Original source can be found here.