Durbin: Instead of Paying Their Tab, Senate Republicans Are Trying to Dine and Dash

WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today slammed Senate Republicans—led by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY)—for their refusal to join Senate Democrats in voting to deal with the debt limit.  During his speech, Durbin noted that raising or suspending the debt limit has nothing to do with approving new spending—it’s about paying off the spending the government has already incurred.  Much of the debt that Republicans are threatening not to pay was approved by Senate Republicans under former President Donald Trump.

“In the coming days, the Senate has an historic decision to make and very little time to make it.  We have to set aside politics… and we have to ensure that our government can continue to function in the midst of this public health crisis and a recovering economy,” Durbin said.  “Last week, Senator McConnell reiterated that Republicans will not join Democrats in voting to deal with the debt limit… Truthfully, this shouldn’t even be a debate.  Raising or suspending the debt limit has nothing to do with any new programs or new spending.  It’s about paying off the tab that the government has already incurred.  Here’s the kicker—much of the debt that the Republicans are threatening not to pay was approved by Senate Republicans when Donald Trump was in the White House.”

Durbin also discussed Congressional Democrats’ Continuing Resolution (CR), which keeps the government funded and open through December 3, 2021; avoids a needless and dangerous shutdown; provides emergency funding to help resettle Afghan refugees; responds to the devastation caused by Hurricane Ida and the wildfires out west; and suspends the debt ceiling until December 2022.  The CR must be passed before the end of this month to avoid a government shutdown.

“Think about how fragile America’s economy is at this very moment.  We’re still recovering from a once in century public health crisis and the worst economic crisis in 75 years.  The last thing we need is a self-inflicted crisis that is motivated by partisanship.  Right now our economy has to be our highest priority.  We need to come together and get the government funded.  We also have an obligation to provide financial relief to Americans who have been hit by the environmental disasters,” Durbin said.  “We need also to help resettle the refugees from Afghanistan.  They risked their lives for Americans.  We should make a home for them here in the United States.  And we also want to make sure that we support our military in every way possible.  Instead of bickering and political brinksmanship, Congress needs to rise to this moment of crisis.”

Durbin concluded, “The American people sent us to Washington not to manufacture crises but to prevent them.  That’s exactly why Senate Democrats are moving ahead to put President Biden’s Build Back Better plan in place.  Pay our debts, invest in a prosperous future—that’s our plan.  We’d love to have Republican support for it.”

Video of Durbin’s floor speech is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s floor speech is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s floor speech is available here for TV Stations.

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