Adams 🚨 Alert: Explaining the Debt Ceiling Crisis

The House of Representatives Passed a Deal to Avert a Financial Crisis; the Legislation heads to the Senate, then the President

Welcome to this week’s Adams Alert.

In our “Key Votes” section below, I explain the tough vote we took on the debt ceiling bill. Ultimately, I voted yes to raise our borrowing limit and prevent a financial crisis, at the cost of cuts to programs that will hurt American families.

Like I said last week, using the debt ceiling to hold the economy hostage is no way to run a country. It threatens our economy, it hurts our standing in the world, and it could have real, dangerous effects for the American people. The bill we sent to the Senate prevents this dangerous game of “chicken” for two years.

However, I still would have preferred a clean bill, because we shouldn’t manufacture a crisis and put everything from your federal benefits to your retirement portfolio at risk every time Congress wants to have a discussion about the budget.

Since we last talked, we came together as a country to honor our fallen heroes on Memorial Day. We remember the brave men and women who died to defend our country against all enemies. President Lincoln called the ultimate sacrifice these service members gave “the last full measure of devotion;” as civilians we can only imagine what that level of devotion means.

I hope that with my work in Congress, I will continue to honor our heroes each and every day, and support the loved ones left behind.

Thanks for reading, and for being engaged in our Democracy.

Sincerely,
Alma

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June is LGBTQ Pride Month in the United States.

While Charlotte Pride is typically in August, the national Pride Month commemorates the Stonewall uprising of 1969 in Manhattan. Queer people of color were at the center of the uprising, just as they were at the center of many civil rights movements, including for police reform.

We can't sleep on fairness and equal rights!

I am working hard as your ally in Congress, co-sponsoring legislation like the Equality Act, which will ensure equal protection under the law for all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression.

I stand with you and I promise to continue to fight for the rights of the LGBTQ community.

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H.R. 3746 - Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023

Also known as the debt ceiling bill.

This was a tough vote for me. Legislative compromise is always tough, and while President Biden was able to negotiate a deal that preserved much of the progress we’ve worked for since the 2020 election, this bill also includes burdensome requirements for food security programs.

My values inform my belief that no person in the United States should go hungry. Every American benefits from programs like SNAP and TANF, even if we never use them. Because the debt ceiling compromise legislation adds additional red tape to food security programs, I struggled with this vote.

However, if Congress doesn’t raise the debt ceiling, the subsequent financial crisis would create many more hungry families than there are now. The financial crisis caused by a default would be worse for American families than anything in this bill. A default would hit especially hard in cities like Charlotte, where the financial sector is a major employer.

The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 averts a default on the sovereign debt of the United States and prevents the use of the debt ceiling as a negotiating tactic for two years. This means fewer political games and fewer opportunities for drastic cuts to assistance for working families.

With reservations, I voted YES.

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Adams Statement on Debt Ceiling Vote

Adams Floor Speech on Manufactured Debt Ceiling Crisis

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Congresswoman Alma Adams visits with Honeywell, a major employer and Fortune 100 headquartered in Charlotte

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Life is precious.

This week, we mourned the loss of two important members of our community in both the 12th Congressional District and statewide.

Sam Love, who passed away on May 25 at the age of 87, was a longtime leader in the Hidden Valley neighborhood, including former president of the neighborhood’s Community Association. He fought for the people of Hidden Valley in many different ways. He was heavily involved in local politics, and won MCDP’s Fannie Lou Hamer award for his work as a grassroots leader. You may also remember him as a plaintiff in the court case that successfully challenged North Carolina’s 2011 congressional redistricting plan as an illegal racial gerrymander. I was honored to join many of our 12th District neighbors at Greenville Memorial AME Zion to celebrate Sam’s life and his dedication to our community.

Conen Morgan, who died in a boating accident on May 28, was only 42 years old but had already accomplished so much. He served as president of the Young Democrats of North Carolina, managed campaigns, and ran a small business that helped candidates and causes. In addition to his political work, he was a leader for STEM and science education, and gave 30 years of service to Science Olympiad in North Carolina. His impact was felt all over North Carolina, so I was proud to lead members of our Congressional delegation in memorializing him on the House floor.

Both of these men inspired me with the ways they worked for their community without asking for anything in return. I am thankful to have known and worked with them both, and both of their families are in my prayers.

That’s where I’ll lay my hat for this week. Thanks for reading!

Sincerely,
Alma

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