The House of Representatives have gone on recess this week. While away, the United States government will reach the limit, set by law, that the nation can borrow to meet its obligations. Since the government is currently spending more on programs than it is receiving in taxes, it will need to raise the limit to fulfill the normal functioning of the government. This is of paramount importance because if the United States were to no longer be able to pay interest on debt it already owes, it could plunge worldwide stock markets into areas not seen  previously.

This should be an easy and non-controversial decision as the two parties come together to negotiate a long-term deal to reduce the debt—similar to what has been done scores of times the last hundred years. Since the US Treasury can move various assets around in various accounts, the impact of reaching the debt limit would not be felt for another few months if no agreement is reached.

Essentially, Congress can do only two things when it comes to the debt ceiling. Members can vote to raise it, or they can allow the country to default on its obligations. There is no other choice. Various lawmakers are demanding deep spending cuts to all programs outside the Department of Defense, including those which benefit children, in exchange for a vote to raise the debt ceiling. Others want Medicare and Medicaid reforms that will reduce benefits and end how the programs currently run, similar to the Paul Ryan budget that passed the House last month. None of these other issues matter in the debate or have to be passed as part of the debt ceiling increase. It is all Washington DC theater, but it could have a damaging impact on children and families. Click here to read more.

The Every Child Matters Education Fund supports a “clean” increase in the debt ceiling, a straight up vote in favor just as Congress has done regularly for more than 100 years. There is too much at stake to play games with the nation’s finances. Cuts to children’s programs, or “caps on spending” as some people like to call it, should not be part of this debate. If people want to cut health, education, and child safety programs, they should go on record and do so and not hide behind Beltway gimmicks that will harm children.