The NAACP sounded the alarm on an impasse about the debt ceiling in Congress, warning the stall could impact Black Americans.
In an open letter to Congress obtained by NBC News, on Wednesday NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said failed negotiations will be a burden on Black Americans, and blasted GOP-supported proposals to expand work requirements for federal aid programs, accusing the proposals of perpetuating racist stereotypes.
In the letter he wrote to the White House and Congress, Johnson urged leaders to reject the proposals.
The usual programs the GOP likes to target are on the proposed chopping block, and would limit spending on Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Pell Grants.
That’s right, health care for the poor, food for low-income households, and financing education for those who can’t afford it are being targeted by the GOP — again.
“Do not accept the false choice between triggering an utterly avoidable economic catastrophe driven by politicians; or imposing costs and new harms on Black communities. We need deeper federal investments — not cuts — to ensure all Americans can thrive,” Johnson said in the letter.
“The nation, especially Black America, is watching.”
The House Republican wish list would put a million older adults at risk of losing their food assistance and going hungry.
Rather than push Americans into poverty, we should reduce the deficit by making sure the wealthy and large corporations pay their fair share in taxes.
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 15, 2023
President Biden has previously pledged to not support any cuts that could burden working class Americans.
On Wednesday, President Biden also announced he would not approve any work requirements that jeopardize the health of Americans in need.
More about the ongoing debt ceiling negotiations can be found here.
