Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com
Pictured is Ohio 13th Congressional District Congresswoman Emilia Sykes
By Kathy Wray Coleman, associate publisher, editor
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Following weeks of wranglings by Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike, the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a debt ceiling bill in hopes of averting what could be a first-ever default unless Congress passes the measure by the June 5 deadline.
If that deadline is not met, the nation's bills will go unpaid, according to the treasury department, and the country will ultimately fall into default for the first time in American history.
The debt ceiling bill at issue, H.R. 3746, suspends the country's $31 trillion debt limit for two years to avoid a government shutdown. Titled "The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023," it passed the Republican-dominated House 314-117 and now heads to a split Senate of sometimes cantankerous lawmakers where a vote could come momentarily. If it passes the Senate, which Democrats control, it would need President Joe Biden's anticipated signature to become law.
Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy pushed for a bipartisan compromise before the House passed the bill on Wednesday, though 71 Republicans and 46 Democrats voted no. The measure approved by the House calls for the nation's debt limit to be suspended until January 2025. This would allow the government to keep borrowing money so it can pay its bills on time.
"The bipartisan budget agreement is not perfect, but thanks to Democratic leadership through the negotiations process, we arrived at a bipartisan agreement that funds our government while protecting critical programs for working people and growing the economy for everyone," said Rep. Emilia Sykes, an Akron Democrat who voted for the bill and one of three Black members of the United States House of Representatives from Ohio.
The other two Black federal lawmakers from Ohio, Rep Joyce Beatty of Columbus and Rep Shontel Brown, a Warrensville Hts Democrat, were also among the Congressional Democrats who voted yes.
In total, 165 House Democrats and 149 Republicans voted in favor of the bill while 46 Democrats and 71 Republicans opposed it. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio- Cortez, D-N.Y., a Progressive Caucus member, was among the Democratic lawmakers who opposed the bill, as was Cori Bush of Missouri, a Black progressive. Those against it say it favors the establishment and is risky and politically motivated, and that it would wreak havoc on the economy.
The president called bipartisan passage of the House bill 'good news' and urged the Senate to follow suit and pass the proposed legislation. It is the first major political compromise reached by the House under the leadership of Speaker McCarthy since the Republicans wrestled the House away from Democrats via the November midterm elections. And it comes as the 2024 presidential election nears.
Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, the most read Black digital newspaper and blog in Ohio and in the Midwest Tel: (216) 659-0473. Email: editor@clevelandurbannews.com. We interviewed former president Barack Obama one-on-one when he was campaigning for president. As to the Obama interview, CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT CLEVELAND URBAN NEWS.COM, OHIO'S LEADER IN BLACK DIGITAL NEWS.
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