Yarmuth Statement on Republicans’ Plot to Use the Debt Limit to Gut Social Security & Medicare

EDITOR'S NOTE: Just as the Kentucky State AFL-CIO repeatedly endorsed Yarmuth, the labor federation has also endorsed state Sen. Morgan McGarvey to succeed him.  

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Kentucky Representative John Yarmuth (KY-03), Chair of the House Budget Committee, released a statement following reports of Republicans’ plans to use the debt limit to force extreme cuts and changes to Social Security, Medicare, and key domestic spending priorities: 

“Holding the full faith and credit of the United States hostage to implement an extreme and unpopular agenda is not governing, it’s desperation. Congressional Republicans are so hellbent on gutting Social Security and ending Medicare as we know it that they are willing to risk economic catastrophe to get it done. This is a desperate attempt to shower the wealthy and big corporations with even more tax giveaways by intentionally sacrificing the needs of American families. 

“The American people have worked hard to rebuild our economy and have been able to get ahead with the help of critical federal investments. We cannot afford Republican plans to abandon this progress and the people we serve. Democrats will build on this momentum, create an even stronger, more inclusive economy, and protect the hard-earned benefits of our workers.”