CONTACT: Jess Kamm Broomell, 412-562-2444, jkamm@usw.org
(Pittsburgh) – United Steelworkers (USW) International President Tom Conway issued the following statement today praising President Joe Biden’s leadership in reaching a deal to raise the debt limit and avert global financial catastrophe:
“Working families deserve elected leaders who put their needs first, and it’s clear that President Biden made this his priority as he negotiated a debt ceiling deal.
“The sad truth is, however, that we never needed to come this close to default; this crisis was wholly manufactured by right-wing politicians willing to take our nation hostage in service to the radical fringe of their party.
“President Biden, in contrast, held steady, reached across the aisle and found a path forward that allows our nation to meet its obligations without many of the cruel and unnecessary cuts the other side originally brought to the table.
“In particular, USW members worked diligently over the past five months calling on our leaders to preserve key programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. We’re grateful that President Biden listened to working Americans and held firm on these issues.
“While the deal is far from perfect, this standoff showed us who our real allies are and who was willing to lead us to the brink of collapse in order to score political points.
“As the debt ceiling bill now moves through Congress, we encourage our representatives in both houses to follow the president’s lead and act in our nation’s best interests.”
The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.