Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Shalanda Young’s Involvement with the Debt Ceiling Deal
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released the following statement regarding OMB Director Shalanda Young’s involvement with the Bipartisan Budget Deal:
“Since the beginning of Shalanda Young’s involvement with the Appropriations Committee, she displayed exactly what Shirley Chisholm was talking about when she said, ‘You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.’
“During the duration of the debt ceiling negotiations, I had concerns, and still do, about the well-being of this country, but in recent weeks I found comfort in knowing that as long as we had a Black woman leading the negotiations, she would get the job done.
“Young is known to display fairness, and so it's no surprise that she has a reputation as being well-respected on both sides of the aisle.
“Although there are more topics and concerns that need debating in this archaic debt ceiling process and the Republican controlled Congress, the inclusion of the needs of Black women and girls should remain a top priority.
“When Black women have a seat at the table, the product of debate reaches a more favorable result.
“I'm grateful for Young’s work and for understanding what is needed to get the job done. Young is exactly where the country needs her to be. Let her work ethic, and this result, be a reminder that we need Black women in positions of power because Black women understand all sides.”