Media Contact: Patrick Wright -- Patrick.Wright@mail.house.gov
Washington, D.C. — Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. voted for a bill tonight to keep the federal government open and avoid a catastrophic default on American debt. The bill, the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act (H.R. 5305), provides funds to continue critical government services, help communities devastated by Tropical Storm Ida and other natural disasters, and prevent a devastating debt default. If the bill were not passed, millions of American workers and families might lose vital assistance to help them survive the COVID-19 global pandemic and the country could face an economic crisis for failing to pay its debt obligations.
“Tonight, I voted to prevent an economic disaster,” said Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. “Millions of Americans count on the federal government for paychecks, food vouchers, and pandemic assistance. If we fail on our debts, it could trigger mass unemployment, homelessness, and a possible economic depression. We need to pay our bills when we are dealing with several emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, to help Americans pay rent and put food on the table.”
This bill allows the nation to fulfill financial responsibilities. For example, it:
- Secures government funding through December 3, 2021.
- Delivers emergency funding for communities devastated by this summer’s record-breaking natural disasters, such as Tropical Storm Ida.
- Suspends the debt ceiling through December 2022, so that the federal government can continue to meet the financial obligations it has already made, including Social Security and Medicare benefits, military pay, and services for veterans.
The bill extends funding for the government’s most crucial agencies, such as education, health, housing, and public safety. The funds will increase early childhood education, investments in our schools, and high-quality, job-training programs. In addition, the bill provides $28.6 billion to address devastation from climate change, such as hurricanes, wildfires, droughts, and winter storms. It will help families, small businesses, and communities recover and rebuild from these natural disasters.
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