Congressman Boyle Joins House Democrats in Demand For Clean Debt Ceiling Extension

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With just eleven days remaining before a November 3 deadline for Congress to raise the debt ceiling to avoid a government default, Congressman Brendan Boyle (D-PA-13) joined Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, Assistant Democratic Leader James Clyburn, and hundreds of other Democratic lawmakers to announce the support of the House Democratic Caucus for a clean extension of the debt ceiling.

190 Democrats signed onto a letter sent to House Speaker John Boehner which demands a vote on a clean extension of the debt ceiling so that America continues to pay its bills. The letter reiterates that doing so will not authorize any new federal spending.

The text of the letter follows:

October 23, 2015

The Honorable John Boehner
Speaker of the House
United States House of Representatives
H-232, The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Mr. Speaker,

Congress will soon be faced with the question of raising the debt ceiling. The solvency of the federal government requires Congress to act in a timely fashion. Failing to do so will plunge the nation into default for the first time in American history, risking economic catastrophe. Raising the debt ceiling will ensure that America pays its bills for expenses already incurred, and does not authorize any new spending.

When the House takes up this issue, we will support a clean extension of the debt ceiling which will allow America to continue to pay its bills as they come due.
We categorically reject the view that it would be acceptable for America to default if unrelated demands are not met. As you will recall, when this irresponsible tactic was employed in 2011, it cost the American taxpayer $19 billion in higher interest costs.