For Immediate Release:

April 21, 2023

Contact: Jonathon Dworkin (NewDEAL), 202-660-1340 x5, jonathon@newdealleaders.org

NewDEAL Leaders Warn Debt Default Would ‘Obliterate’ Post-COVID Economic Gains 

Open letter to Congress from state and local elected officials raises the alarm that economic recovery “could all be wiped out in an instant if extremists in Congress force us to default on the national debt.”

Washington, D.C. – Amid uncertainty about whether members of Congress will be able to raise the debt ceiling and pay the nation’s bills, state and local elected officials across the nation are calling on them to recognize that debates on future spending priorities should not interfere with the need to raise the country’s borrowing limit.

In an open letter that was also sent to congressional leadership, members of NewDEAL — a selective national network of the most innovative, pragmatic state and local leaders — highlight the rapid economic recovery in the three years since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, including historically low unemployment, record-setting numbers of American opening small businesses, and an increase in long-term investments related to infrastructure, housing, access to broadband, and climate change.

Yet the leaders – consisting of state treasurers, mayors, state legislators, and city and county councilmembers from more than 20 states – warn that a failure by Congress to raise the debt ceiling could have catastrophic consequences. Unemployment would likely spike, and billions of dollars could be lost in retirement and savings accounts.

“Refusing to raise the debt ceiling would obliterate years of painstaking work to rebuild our communities following the COVID-19 pandemic,” they write. “This hard-fought progress could all be wiped out in an instant if extremists in Congress force us to default on the national debt… The victims would be teachers, firefighters, construction workers, veterans, small business owners, retirees, and other residents in our towns, cities, and communities.”

Read the full letter here.

Signatories include Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read; Nevada State Treasurer Zach Conine; Richmond Mayor and President of the Democratic Mayors Association Levar Stoney; Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego; St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones; San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan; North Dakota House Minority Leader Josh Boschee; and New Hampshire House Minority Leader Matt Wilhelm.

“State and local leaders have worked tirelessly over the past several years to not only lead constituents through the worst of a pandemic, but to help communities rebuild and recover,” NewDEAL Leader CEO Debbie Cox Bultan said when the letter was released. “It is unimaginable that extremists in Congress would threaten this fragile recovery by holding the full faith and credit of our nation hostage. Congress needs to do their job, pass a clean debt ceiling increase, and stop using what should be a routine task as an opportunity for brinkmanship.”

The United States reached the debt ceiling earlier in 2023, and the U.S. Treasury has implemented “extraordinary measures” to continue paying America’s bills. When the ability to use those measures runs out, the nation is in danger of defaulting on its debt for the first time in American history.

“As elected officials, we understand political disagreements about fiscal policies,” the letter states. “In a robust democracy, there is an orderly way to examine the nation’s taxing and spending priorities. But the debt limit is not about future spending or tax policies. It is about paying the bills racked up over the past several decades, approved by both Republicans and Democrats. Congress should do what it has always done in the past: Come together to raise the debt ceiling.”

About NewDEAL

The NewDEAL supports a network of about 200 state and local officials — statewide officials, legislators, mayors, council members, and other local leaders across the country — who are pro-growth progressives. The organization brings together leaders focused on expanding opportunity, helping them develop and spread innovative ideas to spur economic growth that is broadly-earned and sustainable.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                               

April 13, 2023                                                                

Contact: Jonathon Dworkin, 202-660-1340 x5

NewDEAL Statement on No Labels Presidential Ticket 

CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks out on day of action, one year before proposed No Labels third party convention

Washington, D.C. – As part of a day of action opposing No Labels’ attempt to field a third party presidential ticket that would help former President Trump or a similarly divisive Republican nominee, CEO Debbie Cox Bultan released the following statement:

“It is mind boggling that No Labels would pursue a third party 2024 presidential ticket now, when we have an Administration that exemplifies responsible governance and problem-solving, including major bipartisan achievements, in contrast to a predecessor’s tenure that ended with an attempt to overthrow the government. Reality does not conform to their false narrative that both sides have been hijacked by extremists. 

“As an organization that works with pragmatic state and local leaders from nearly every state who often seek bipartisan cooperation, we see both the progress they are making on bread-and-butter issues as a result of recent federal investments, and their struggle to get constituents to appreciate that progress amid a national dialogue that often wrongly paints both sides as extreme and out-of-touch. Their efforts to address big issues and restore faith in government will only get harder if No Labels pursues its presidential bid.

“The only plausible impact of a so-called unity ticket on the next presidential election would be to split the votes of Americans who care about defending democracy and making government work, providing a possible path to victory for a candidate like former President Trump who will campaign on grievance and division.”

About NewDEAL

The NewDEAL brings together leaders focused on expanding opportunity, helping them develop and spread innovative ideas to spur economic growth that is equitable and sustainable. Most importantly, the organization facilitates the exchange of ideas among its members and connects them with other pro-growth progressive political, policy, and private sector leaders.

Learn more about the NewDEAL and its members by visiting http://www.newdealleaders.org/leaders.   

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For Immediate Release:                                                    

APRIL 7, 2023                                                        

Contact: Estevan Ginsburg (NewDEAL), 202-660-1340 x6, estevan@newdealleaders.org 

Expelling Tennessee Lawmakers Is ‘Stain on our Democracy’ Says NewDEAL CEO

Debbie Cox Bultan

Washington, D.C. – In response to Republican Tennessee state legislators voting to expel Representatives Justin Jones (Nashville) and Justin Pearson (Memphis) last night, NewDEAL Leader CEO Debbie Cox Bultan released the following statement:

“The unprecedented action taken by an extreme MAGA Republican supermajority in the Tennessee House of Representatives is a clear abuse of power, and a terrible stain on our democracy.”

“It is an outrage to remove duly elected representatives for exercising their right to free speech and participating in a peaceful protest calling for gun safety legislation in the aftermath of the tragic school shooting in Nashville. The fact that the two legislators who were expelled were young Black men – and that Republicans voted against expelling a white legislator involved in the protest – should be of particular concern to everyone who cares about representative democracy.”

“I join NewDEAL state and local elected leaders across the country in calling out these actions as anti-democratic and anti-American, and hope that what transpired will strengthen the resolve of those working to protect our democracy and our freedoms.”

About NewDEAL

NewDEAL supports a network of about 200 state and local officials — statewide officials, legislators, mayors, council members, and other local leaders across the country — who are pro-growth progressives. The organization brings together leaders focused on expanding opportunity, helping them develop and spread innovative ideas to spur economic growth that is broadly-earned and sustainable. NewDEAL facilitates the exchange of ideas among its members and connects them with other pro-growth progressive political, policy, and private sector leaders.

NewDEAL’s Honorary Co-Chairs are U.S. Senator Chris Coons (DE) and Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10).