Menendez Statement on Senate Vote to Temporarily Raise the Debt Ceiling

Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Bob Menendez

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Menéndez (D-N.J.), released the following statement after the Senate passed a short-term extension of the debt ceiling until December 3, 2021:

“Senate Democrats have been working in every way possible to preserve the full faith and credit of the United States on behalf of the American people. On the other hand, Senate Republicans have been focused on irresponsible, reckless and dangerous political brinkmanship by holding our government hostage to their irrational demands.

“Minority Leader McConnell’s offer of a short-term, capped debt ceiling increase is just the latest attempt to hamstring Senate Democrats. While I supported this path forward to protect our country from a catastrophic default, today’s vote only provides a temporary reprieve, while the Sword of Damocles still hangs precariously over our heads.

“Let me be clear, when we face this situation again in the upcoming weeks, I will not support another short-term increase of the debt ceiling tied to a specific number. A long-term suspension of the debt ceiling without conditions, as we did under the Trump Administration, is the only way out of the chaos created by Senate Republicans.

“We can’t allow Senator McConnell to jeopardize the full faith and credit of our Nation and drive our economy into a recession just to score some cheap political points.”

 ###