OAKLAND, CA — Today, California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters) released the following statement on the federal government’s limit on how much the U.S. can borrow. If the $31.4 trillion debt ceiling is not raised, the Treasury Department estimates the country could default by June 1st. Defaulting would threaten jobs, government services, the market, and climate action.

Statement from Aaron McCall, Federal Advocacy Coordinator, California Environmental Voters:

“Defaulting is not an option. We cannot cave to demands to cut environmental protection programs, repeal clean air and water legislation, or gut public lands protections in an effort to avoid paying money the government has already spent. Congress must preserve its commitment to climate and raise the country’s debt ceiling. 

A divided Congress has never meant and should never mean obstruction of government. This moment is especially troubling because it’s representative of what we’ve seen this year – House Republicans holding our economy hostage to further their agenda. 

Default is real and it is dangerous. Low-income families and communities of color cannot afford to have their lives and livelihoods gambled with when we are in the midst of a climate crisis that will hit frontline communities the hardest. We urge Congress, especially California leaders, to do what is necessary to protect our future.”

 

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CONTACT:

Erika Guzman Cornejo

310-755-1615

erika@envirovoters.org

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California Environmental Voters (formerly the California League of Conservation Voters) believes the climate crisis is here and this moment requires transformative change. California has the policy solutions to stop climate change but lacks the political will to do it at the rate and scale that’s necessary. EnviroVoters exists to build the political power to solve the climate crisis, advance justice, and create a roadmap for global action. We organize voters, elect and train candidates, and hold lawmakers accountable for bold policy change. We won’t stop until we have resilient, healthy, thriving communities, and a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all. Join us at www.envirovoters.org and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. See more press releases.

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