Progressives Warn of Harm To Black Communities As A Result Of Debt Ceiling Deal

The Root; Published By Jessica Washington

Grassroots organizers and large groups like Greenpeace and the NAACP have expressed grave concern over the contents of the debt ceiling deal, arguing the impact on Black Americans and other marginalized groups could be disastrous. Their concerns raise the question, did President Joe Biden make the best of a bad situation, or did the GOP take him for a ride?

However, first things first, what’s actually inside this debt ceiling deal. As you might have guessed, there are a lot of giveaways to conservatives:

• Caps on non-defense spending.
• Roll-backs on environmental protections.
• An end to the student loan payment freeze in August
• New work requirements for food stamps and TANF recipients.
• The debt limit will be raised to 2025

Aspects of the bill could be considered wins for Democrats. For example, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that despite the new work requirements, more people will be eligible for food assistance under this bill because of changes to how the program handles work requirements for veterans and unhoused people. But overall, progressives argue that the deal was mostly a gift to GOP interests. Read more