The Senate passed legislation that will raise the debt ceiling and avoid a cataclysmic default, yet have a disproportionately negative impact on Black America. NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson released the following statement urging lawmakers to end use of the debt ceiling in legislative negotiations:
"This debt ceiling bill will ensure the country avoids defaulting on our financial obligations but it reflects misplaced priorities. Conservative legislators have once again prioritized corporations and wealthy individuals. The deal avoids the calamity of default, but weakens environmental protection, IRS capacity needed to collect revenue, and adds burdensome requirements for Americans seeking public assistance.
"Let me be clear – rather than accelerating the Mountain Valley Pipeline, implementing ineffective work requirements for SNAP and TANF, and restarting student loan payments — lawmakers should be working to deepen investments into programs that uplift all Americans, especially Black Americans. The debt ceiling should never be used to pass legislation that would fail to stand on its own merit. As the bill heads to President Biden's desk, the NAACP demands that Congress and the Administration end the use of the debt ceiling as an exercise in legislative hostage-taking. The wellbeing of Black Americans and vulnerable people should never be negotiated."
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