Urgent: President Obama Wants You to Call Congress Now
Tags: Boehner debt ceiling, Congress debt ceiling, dennis van roekel, NEA debt, Obama debt ceiling
By Cynthia McCabe and Sara Robertson
With the Aug. 2 deadline for raising the nation’s debt ceiling just a week away, negotiations among top policymakers in Washington continue to stall. President Obama urged Americans on Monday to act now, to help protect students, elderly and middle class working families.
He’s calling for a balanced approach to addressing the nation’s deficit – one that ensures that the wealthiest in our nation pay their fair share. In a speech Monday night, the president outlined the catastrophic results of failure to reach a sensible agreement this week.
“The American people may have voted for divided government, but they didn’t vote for a dysfunctional government,” Obama said. “So I’m asking you all to make your voice heard. If you want a balanced approach to reducing the deficit, let your member of Congress know.”’
Take action today on this issue! Visit NEA’s Legislative Action Center now to email your member of Congress and tell them to compromise on a balanced approach that protects the most vulnerable and ensures those most able to do so pay their fair share. You can also call Congress and be directed to your member, at (202) 224-3121.
Refusal to raise the debt ceiling could lead to default on the nation’s financial obligations. Translation: the U.S. won’t have enough money to pay all of its bills, including monthly Social Security checks and veterans’ benefits. For the first time in history, the country’s credit rating