Both the Progressive Caucus and the Black Caucus have rejected the debt deal. In a statement, Progressive Caucus leader Raúl Grijalva of Arizona said: “This deal does not even attempt to strike a balance between more cuts for the working people of America and a fairer contribution from millionaires and corporations. I will not be a part of it.” Speaking on the Senate floor, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders denounced the agreement.

Sen. Bernie Sanders: “Despite Democratic control over the White House, despite Democratic control over the Senate, despite overwhelming opposition from the American people, a small minority of the members of the Republican-controlled House have successfully pushed an extreme right-wing agenda onto the American political landscape. It is an ideology which believes that despite the fact that the rich are getting richer, the middle class is shrinking, and poverty is increasing, all—all of the burden for deficit reduction should rest on working people.”