{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://welch.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/welch-leads-190-house-democrats-demand-clean-debt-ceiling-extension", "Welch Leads 190 House Democrats in Demand for Clean Debt Ceiling Extension", "2015-10-23", "2015", "2015-10", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "welch.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  With just eleven days remaining before a November 3 deadline for Congress to raise the debt ceiling to avoid a government default, Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT), joined by Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer and Assistant Democratic Leader James Clyburn, announced today the support of the House Democratic Caucus for a clean extension of the debt ceiling. \n190 Democrats signed Welch's letter to House Speaker John Boehner which demands a vote on a clean extension of the debt ceiling so that America continues to pay its bills. The letter reiterates that doing so will not authorize any new federal spending.\nSince 2011, Welch has been the House leader of the effort to ensure that America pays its bills and that the debt ceiling be raised without conditions or unrelated demands. He led a similar effort in 2103.\nThe text of the letter follows:\n  \n\tOctober 23, 2015\n  \n\tThe Honorable John Boehner   \n\tSpeaker of the House   \n\tUnited States House of Representatives  \n\tH-232, The Capitol  \n\tWashington, DC 20515       \n\t  \n\tDear Mr. Speaker,  \n\t  \n\tCongress will soon be faced with the question of raising the debt ceiling. The solvency of the federal government requires Congress to act in a timely fashion. Failing to do so will plunge the nation into default for the first time in American history, risking economic catastrophe. Raising the debt ceiling will ensure that America pays its bills for expenses already incurred, and does not authorize any new spending.  \n\t  \n\tWhen the House takes up this issue, we will support a clean extension of the debt ceiling which will allow America to continue to pay its bills as they come due.  \n\t  \n\tWe categorically reject the view that it would be acceptable for America to default if unrelated demands are not met. As you will recall, when this irresponsible tactic was employed in 2011, it cost the American taxpayer $19 billion in higher interest costs.   \n\t  \n\t  \n\tSincerely,  \n\t\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://welch.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/welch-leads-190-house-democrats-demand-clean-debt-ceiling-extension"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.409703865647316, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}