WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), top Democrat on the Natural Resources Committee and dean of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation, issued the following statement upon news that Republicans have walked away from ongoing debt limit negotiations.

"The debt limit talks broke down because Republicans continue to stick to their political playbook, calling for cutting Medicare and Social Security to preserve tax cuts for millionaires and subsidies for Big Oil. Resolution of the budget impasse only will be possible if Republicans put everything on the table, not persist in shoveling under the table billions in tax breaks to giant corporations and the privileged few. We need to reduce the deficit responsibly, not at the expense of seniors and Americans with disabilities."
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