U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) today assailed public promises by House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy and other top Republicans to breach the debt ceiling and topple the entire U.S. economy unless their demands to gut Social Security and Medicare are met, should Republicans seize power in the midterm elections.

“The Republican Party is openly promising to topple the entire American economy unless they are allowed to demolish Social Security and Medicare,” said Rep. Pascrell. “This isn’t hyperbole – this is Republicans’ own words and Americans need to hear them loud and clear. When Trump was in the White House, they had no issues amassing $7 trillion in more debt or raising the debt ceiling three times, including for their $2 trillion corporate tax scam. Yet in their lust for power, Republicans are saying they want the economy to collapse because a Democrat sits in the White House.

Plans to take away Americans’ retirement, Americans’ health care, as well as American freedom and democracy is yet more evidence that the Republican Party and its leaders are unfit to govern this great country. From removing the debt ceiling approval process as a political weapon to reinvigorating our vital Social Security program through Social Security 2100, Democrats have real plans to protect our economy and provide retirement security. Every Republican should be asked if they agree with their leaders stated plans to tank the economy to demolish Social Security and Medicare. Breaching the ceiling and blowing up the entire American economy can never happen. We must use every tool at our disposal to prevent Republicans from destroying America.”