Contrasting views on the debt talk breakdown from Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.) top leaders in their chambers……
Below, Durbin, Roskam statements…..
DURBIN STATEMENT ON HOUSE REPUBLICANS’ DECISION TO WALK AWAY
FROM DEBT TALKS WITH THE WHITE HOUSE
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement tonight after House Republicans walked away from debt talks with the White House:
“Republicans have repeatedly walked away from serious debt talks, insisting the best way to prevent a default of our nation’s debt is to protect tax breaks for millionaires and oil companies and balance the budget on the backs of the middle class and the poor. They were wrong before and they are wrong now.
The only solution to our debt crisis is a balanced approach that raises revenues and cuts spending. Our focus now should be on avoiding a default and the catastrophic consequences it would have on our economy. Short term solutions are not enough. It’s time for bipartisan leadership, not partisan gamesmanship.”
-30-
WASHINGTON – Congressman Peter Roskam, Chief Deputy Whip, issued the following statement on the debt limit negotiations:
“The White House’s insistence on higher taxes on small businesses continues to be the logjam preventing a breakthrough. What Americans understand and the White House still refuses to accept, is that Washington has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. Nonetheless, America must make good on its obligations and avoid default, so in that spirit, House Republicans will continue to fight for policies that meet our obligations consistent with the principles of Cut, Cap and Balance.”
###