As America teeters on doorstep of default, Welch calls for immediate up-or-down vote on debt ceiling extension

Chief Deputy Whip Peter Welch (D-Vt.), the leader of 114 Democrats seeking a clean extension of the debt ceiling since April, issued the following statement Friday evening after the breakdown of negotiations between President Obama and Speaker Boehner.

“Our message since April has been clear and consistent: America pays its bills. And the president and congressional leaders should negotiate but not default. 

“America is now at the doorstep of default. We cannot allow the extreme wing of the majority party to pull the trigger on the default gun. Those of us in Congress who do not want to shove the economy over the cliff should be given the chance next week to vote up or down on whether America should continue to pay its bills. Failing to do so will be catastrophic and the American people will rightfully assign blame for this unprecedented political malpractice.”