I Am Here for Struggling Families

Floor Speech

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Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, today we will vote on a bill that reflects how little Republicans care about everyday people, even their own constituents.

We should be voting on a straightforward extension of the debt ceiling, but instead Republicans are more than willing to force our Nation and economy into default just to score political wins.

They want to increase work requirements on SNAP, a cruel resumption of student loan payments, and more restrictions on TANF. They are clearly not here for families who are struggling. Well, I am.

I am here for the 1.3 million student loan borrowers in Illinois who are being forced a resumption of payments when people are struggling to keep up with their bills.

I am here for the 76,836 people across Illinois who are counting on TANF cash assistance. I am also here for the 1.9 million residents of Illinois who all count on SNAP to put food on their table.

Representing them is my responsibility, and it is why I know that we could have worked on a clean debt ceiling, but this hostage situation is not something I can vote for.

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