Moving in the Right Direction

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after House members met with President Obama at the White House and presented a proposal to temporarily raise the debt ceiling and prevent default.

"I applaud Speaker John Boehner for his leadership and continued efforts to find solutions in this difficult shutdown situation," said Cole. "The president's willingness to engage and review this debt ceiling proposal is a step in the right direction and shows that neither side is willing to place the full faith and credit of the United States at risk.

"As we continue to work together to find common ground on a long-term budget solution, we must remain committed to the thousands of furloughed federal workers who need and want to return to work and the millions of Americans inconvenienced by the lapse in government services. While we are close to solving the debt ceiling crisis, we cannot forget the current shutdown at hand. The need to negotiate on a funding deal must be addressed, and I'm pleased that we are still working toward a solution that will reopen the government.

"This current debt ceiling proposal shows that House Republicans are willing to meet the president halfway, but the president must also move toward us and engage in real negotiations," concluded Cole.

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