WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Wildlife Federation issued the following statement on the legislation before the U.S. House of Representatives to raise the federal debt ceiling:

“The unacceptable demands from the House majority brought the U.S. economy to the brink of financial disaster and left the president, hardworking families, and other lawmakers with few good options,” said Abby Tinsley, vice president of conservation policy for the National Wildlife Federation. “This debt-ceiling deal includes terrible trade-offs — and we do not support strict spending caps, legislative approval of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, changes weakening NEPA, and burdening families who need access to critical assistance programs — but a default would be catastrophic. Taking the U.S. economy hostage is not a responsible negotiating technique, and the result is bad policy for people and wildlife.”