Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-51), a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the New Democrat Coalition, today voted to avert a historic default despite serious concerns about the expanded work requirements and cuts to the social safety net.

Congresswoman Sara Jacobs said:

“After serious consideration, I voted yes on the Bipartisan Budget Agreement to prevent the first default in our country’s history, which could send millions of people into poverty, kill millions of jobs, and cause permanent damage to our economy and global standing. This decision was not easy, and we should have never been in the position of risking the full faith and credit of the United States in the first place. We’re only at this point because Speaker McCarthy and the extreme Republican Party decided their best 2024 presidential campaign strategy was to tank the economy and blame President Biden.

“While it’s far from perfect, this deal avoids a Republican-led default, protects Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, and rejects extreme cuts to domestic programs that low- and middle-income families rely on. It could have been much worse – and President Biden stood up for our values and delivered the best possible deal given Speaker McCarthy’s egregious and extortionist demands.

“But ultimately, this deal perpetuates antiquated stereotypes about social safety net programs and the people who rely on them. Work requirements don’t work. They create hurdles for low-income people while failing to accomplish their supposed goal of increasing employment and taking away food and cash assistance from the people who need it most. This agreement, unfortunately, will make it harder for states to serve the highest-need families participating in TANF, expand work requirements for older adults on SNAP, and limit state flexibility to serve SNAP recipients. But thanks to President Biden, the final agreement also takes steps to remove needless barriers for veterans, those experiencing homelessness, and those aging out of the foster care system.

“It is incredibly unfortunate that yet again, policy choices in Washington hurt people living in poverty – while the wealthy and well-connected are rewarded. That’s why I’m committed to doing everything in my power to minimize the inevitable harm of this bill, reimagine our social safety net to address existing gaps, and ensure that all families have the resources and support to make ends meet.

“This manufactured economic crisis was preventable. These cuts to programs that the lowest-income people rely on were entirely avoidable. As always, I will keep fighting to deliver what’s in the best interest of the American people instead of playing these consequential games.”

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