Honolulu Reporter

(Washington, D.C.) – On June 5,2023, Representative Jill Tokuda issued the following statement on the debt limit agreement vote:

“From day one of this debate, I have said we cannot raise the debt limit on the backs of our keiki, our kupuna, and the most vulnerable.  For months, Democrats have been offering a clean and swift solution, while House Republicans chose to play partisan politics.  To default on our debt would be catastrophic for our people, our economy, our environment, and global security. 

“The agreement before us would prevent default. But let us be clear: there will be consequences for people and communities in Hawaii and across our nation who will lose resources, benefits, and protections

“While this is not the solution I would have liked to see, President Biden and Democrats did everything to mitigate the worst of Republicans’ demands which would have cut programs that working families rely on.  With across-the-board cuts of 22 percent, veterans would have had 30 million less outpatient visits, over a million seniors would be dropped from Meals on Wheels, and 200,000 keiki would lose access to Head Start programs. 

“My constituents sent me to Congress to work for our shared priorities, to lead with aloha and strength, reach across the aisle when possible, and to help guide our nation to a more stable and healthier future.  I will continue fighting for increased investments in our communities, to eliminate the debt ceiling once and for all, expand access to social safety net programs, and enhance protections for our environment. 

“Tonight, I will vote for the debt limit agreement, but my work is far from over.  This is not the bill that the American people deserve, and I will keep fighting in Congress to get what our people and communities need.”

Original source can be found here.