<<<Back to Statements 2010

Monday, August 1, 2011

Statement in Support of Debt Ceiling Agreement Reached Between White House and Congressional Leaders

“I support the agreement reached between President Obama and the Democratic and Republican leadership in Congress, and I hope that a majority of my colleagues in the House and Senate will vote to approve it.

For the well-being of our constituents, Democrats and Republicans should unite so that the United States government is able to fulfill its financial obligations and regain its fiscal strength. For Members of Congress, now is the moment for pragmatism to trump ideology, as well as to recognize our responsibility to meet halfway to avoid the collapse of this entire effort and preserve the good name of our government.

We will not have winners and losers here, but rather men and women who rise to the occasion when it is necessary.

I am pleased that the framework agreed to by the President and Congressional leadership achieves a just balance in the effort to reduce the deficit and avoid default, and delays most of the spending reductions for a year and a half.

It must be emphasized that the agreement protects critically-important programs like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Pell Grants, and is rooted in the premise that it is not prudent to significantly reduce federal support for these and other programs at a time when the U.S. economy, including the Puerto Rico economy, is not in optimal condition.

Between today and tomorrow, I will be urging my colleagues to vote in favor of the proposed deal, because I am convinced that the only way it will become law is if it obtains the support of a significant number of Members of Congress from both political parties.”