US mayors critical of political stalemate over debt ceiling

While grateful that US government representatives have reached a deal on raising the debt ceiling allowing for the reopening of the federal government, Scott Smith, Mayor of Mesa and President of the US Conference of Mayors, has criticised federal government officials for taking so long to reach a compromise.

“The American people, the majority of whom live in cities, have been held hostage long enough to the partisan bickering that has, unfortunately, become the norm in Washington,” said Mayor Smith. “While mayors are doing their best to keep cities afloat, it is not fair to hard-working families who have been struggling to keep their households above water that federal lawmakers undermined those efforts because they could not reach a compromise.”

The US Conference of Mayors which represents 1,399 cities with populations of 30,000 or more had previously addressed official letters to the House of Representatives and the Senate urging lawmakers to reach an agreement.

“We cannot afford the instability and dangerous uncertainty that a closed government and a historic default would bring upon our economy and our citizens,” wrote Mayor Smith.

Mayor Smith said that mayors represented 362 metro economies in the US which accounted for 90 percent of GDP and 86 percent of the country’s jobs and agreement was necessary to avoid “a catastrophic default”.

Welcoming today’s agreement, Mayor Smith said it was essential for the good of all citizens.  “Mayors are pragmatic doers who believe in rolling up our sleeves, finding common ground on even the most difficult of issues and getting things done for the good of the whole. We are relieved that Washington has decided to do the same and we urge the final passage of this bipartisan agreement in both the House and the Senate.”