ATL Standard

WASHINGTON – On May 25, 2023, Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) joined fellow Democrats on the House Floor to demand the Republican majority do their jobs and pay America’s bills. Click here for a video of the speech. Congresswoman Williams’ remarks as prepared for delivery are below.

Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) said: 

“Extreme MAGA Republicans are proposing cuts to 200,000 head start slots and 180,000 child care slots nationwide. That’s more than 300,000 families who would be thrown into a devastating bind. See, when families don’t have access to care, they can’t get to work–making it harder to put food on the table every day. This is a real-life dilemma facing parents like Chelsea and Dorian in Clayton County, Georgia: two mamas who are looking for jobs but facing one major roadblock: no child care. Now Extreme MAGA Republicans are threatening to make their child care search even harder. That, or risk a disastrous default on our debt. With just days on the clock to find a solution, Republicans are headed home–making their priorities clear.”

House Republicans created this crisis and then rushed out of town for the long weekend, days away from a catastrophic default on our debt that will cost families dearly. This Republican default on our debt would:

• Kill about 8,000 jobs in GA-05 alone. Nationwide, a default could kill more than 7 million jobs. 
• Jeopardize Social Security payments for 73,000 families in GA-05.
• Put health benefits at risk for 206,000 people in GA-05 who rely on Medicare, Medicaid, or Veterans Affairs health coverage.
• Increase lifetime mortgage costs for the typical homeowner in Georgia by $51,000.
• Raise the costs of a new car loan for the typical American by $800.
• Threaten the retirement savings of 81,700 people near retirement in GA-05, eliminating $20,000 from the typical retirement portfolio.

Democrats are united to pay America’s bills without political stunts. Congresswoman Nikema Williams has signed on to legislation that allows a bipartisan solution that prevents default and saves our economy. If five House Republicans sign the same legislation, the crisis can be ended immediately.

Congresswoman Williams’ remarks as prepared for delivery: 

Mr./Mme. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to address the House for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks.

Mr./Mme Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the children in the Fighting Fifth at risk of going hungry in the face of cruel Republican cuts.

Extreme MAGA Republicans are proposing cuts to 200,000 head start slots and 180,000 child care slots nationwide. That’s more than 300,000 families who would be thrown into a devastating bind.

See, when families don’t have access to care, they can’t get to work–making it harder to put food on the table every day. 

This is a real-life dilemma facing parents like Chelsea and Dorian in Clayton County, GA: two mamas who are looking for jobs but facing one major roadblock: no child care. 

Now Extreme MAGA Republicans are threatening to make their child care search even harder. That, or risk a disastrous default on our debt. With just days on the clock to find a solution, Republicans are headed home–making their priorities clear. 

The greatest speaker of all time, Nancy D’alesandro Pelosi said, “sometimes you have to take a punch and give a punch, for the children.” Y’all, I’m ready to fight for a solution on behalf of our children. I’m waiting for my Republican colleagues who are brave enough to fight alongside me. 

I yield back. 

CONTACT: PressGA05@mail.house.gov  

Congresswoman Nikema Williams proudly serves Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District on the exclusive Financial Services Committee. She is a champion of voting rights and builds on the Fifth District’s legacy as the cradle of the civil rights movement as co-Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus. Congresswoman Williams is committed to closing the racial wealth gap and ensuring the promise of America for all–regardless of your ZIP code or bank account.

Original source can be found here.