Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) paid a visit to Al Sharpton on MSNBC on Thursday night, criticizing Republicans for their opportunistic approach to the debt ceiling and cuts to government spending. The GOP is using it as “legislative terrorism” to “extract concessions” they wouldn’t otherwise be able to accomplish.
Sharpton pointed to remarks Paul Ryan made in 2011, wherein he said “you can’t not raise the debt ceiling.” He went on to also play remarks from Sen. Lindsey Graham and House Speaker John Boehner, both of whom described the calamitous effects of not raising the debt ceiling and defaulting.
“So, were they kidding then, are they kidding now?” Sharpton asked. “Why the big change?”
Republicans see that it is “a device to extract concessions they would otherwise never be able to accomplish,” Grayson replied. “That’s why it’s legislative terrorism.”
He continued:
They’re using the debt ceiling as a means to cut Social Security benefits, cut Medicare benefits, cut unemployment insurance, cut anything of any use to any ordinary human being in this country simply because they want more money for tax cuts for the rich.
“Holding the economy hostage, I would take from that,” Sharpton remarked, also noting Boehner reportedly told Republicans that he’s through with one-on-one negotiations with President Obama.
“Boehner is a chief with no Indians,” Grayson said. “He’s a weak, weak man, a weak speaker.”
Video:
h/t Mediaite
