Congresswoman Nikema Williams Opposes Default on America Act, Cites Damage to Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) announced her opposition to the Default on America Act. Congresswoman Williams also released data proving how the Default on America Act would cause catastrophic harm to Georgia families. The data was prepared by House Budget Committee Democrats. 

Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) said:

“The Default on America Act leaves us with a terrible choice from House Republicans: either they wreck our economy, or they inflict cruel cuts that will hurt everyday people. House Republicans are willing to let children and seniors go hungry and I won’t allow it. I am ready to work with House Democrats to put people over politics by preventing a devastating debt default without harming families.” 

House Republicans extreme demands in the Default on America Act will: 

• Threaten access to food assistance for 23,000 people aged 50-55 in Georgia.
• Eliminate preschool and child care for at least 9,700 children in Georgia.
• Increase housing costs for at least 16,800 people in Georgia.
• Make college more expensive for at least 219,600 students in Georgia.
• Eliminate at least 6 air traffic control towers in Georgia.
• Cut at least 190 rail safety inspection days in Georgia.
• Repeal investments in cleaner, cheaper energy — threatening at least 11,546 clean energy and manufacturing jobs announced in Georgia since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act.

And if Republicans don’t get their way, they’re threatening to default on our nation’s bills, unleashing economic catastrophe and putting vital government services at risk:

• Kill about 8,000 jobs in GA-05 alone. Nationwide, a default could kill more than 7 million jobs.
• Jeopardize Social Security payments for 73,000 families in GA-05.
• Put health benefits at risk for 206,000 people in GA-05 who rely on Medicare, Medicaid, or Veterans Affairs health coverage.
• Increase lifetime mortgage costs for the typical homeowner in Georgia by $51,000.
• Raise the costs of a new car loan for the typical American by $800.
• Threaten the retirement savings of 81,700 people near retirement in GA-05, eliminating $20,000 from the typical retirement portfolio.

CONTACT: PressGA05@mail.house.gov 

Congresswoman Nikema Williams proudly serves Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District on the exclusive Financial Services Committee. She is a champion of voting rights, building on the Fifth District’s legacy as the cradle of the civil rights movement. Congresswoman Williams is also committed to closing the racial wealth gap and ensuring the promise of America for all–regardless of your ZIP code or bank account.

###