By Jay Edwards

Read more from WRNJ: Gottheimer helps prevent default on debt and economic collapse

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) Thursday highlighted how the House-passed bipartisan agreement to avoid a national default protects our seniors, veterans and families, in comparison to the far-right, extreme legislation Gottheimer voted against in April that would cut veterans benefits, impact investments in the military and law enforcement, raise taxes, kill jobs, and defund critical programs like public safety, health care coverage, childcare, and food assistance for seniors.

The legislation will also help ensure infrastructure projects are completed faster.

The bipartisan debt ceiling agreement includes:

• Preventing a Devastating Default on Our Nation’s Debt — by suspending the debt limit through January 2025 to protect the full faith and credit of the U.S. the economy, 401Ks, pensions, and savings.
• Protecting Veterans’ Health Care — including investments in medical care for veterans and increasing investment for the bipartisan PACT Act’s toxic exposure fund (TEF).
• Ensuring Access to SNAP Food Assistance for Veterans & the Homeless — to allow all veterans, Americans experiencing homelessness, and former foster youth access to the SNAP program to help them purchase food.
• Protecting Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security — instead of last month’s far-right, extreme legislation that Gottheimer voted against, which would have taken Medicaid away from as many as 21 million Americans.
• Protecting Critical Resources for Children and Families — including investment for education and health care.
• Protecting Historic Infrastructure and Clean Energy Investments — including investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill for New Jersey and the nation.
• Streamlining Permitting for Clean Energy, Traditional Energy, and Infrastructure Projects.

Earlier this week, the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus — which Gottheimer co-chairs — endorsed the bipartisan debt ceiling agreement.

“I’ve said for months that all sides have to sit down at the table to get this done, because defaulting is not an option. It would hurt our children and families, our seniors, and our veterans — and put our leadership in the world at risk. In divided government, you have to actually work together to find a solution that can make it across the finish line,” Gottheimer said. “Compared to the extreme, partisan legislation that I voted against last month, this bipartisan debt ceiling agreement that I just helped pass will actually help our nation avoid a default, while also supporting our brave veterans and ensuring they have access to health care, protecting Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security, ensuring vulnerable Americans can access healthy food, and protecting bipartisan investments in children, families, education, clean energy, and infrastructure.”