WATCH: Heinrich Highlights Steep Costs Of A Republican Default Crisis

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) for a press conference at the U.S. Capitol to highlight how the Republican default crisis undermines confidence in America’s commitment to pay its bills, drives up costs for families, and disrupts Social Security, veterans, and Medicare benefits New Mexicans rely on.

WATCH: Heinrich highlights impacts of breaching the debt ceiling [HD DOWNLOAD LINK HERE]

Senator Heinrich delivered remarks and expressed that “America pays its bills and we pay our bills on time” and the uncertainty House Republicans are creating for the American economy “has real consequences for real people.”

Senator Heinrich highlighted that in New Mexico, breaching the debt limit could disrupt the Social Security benefits that 455,000 New Mexicans depend upon. Nearly 450,000 New Mexico seniors who paid into Medicare could lose their benefits. And there are more than 140,000 veterans in New Mexico, many of whom might see a disruption to the benefits they’ve earned.

“[…] If you don't pay your bills, things get worse,” continued Heinrich. “We cannot afford to do this to the American economy right now at a moment when we have the opportunity to create an incredibly robust, strong economy and really show the world what economic leadership looks like in this moment.”

Senator Heinrich’s full remarks can be viewed here. Watch the full press conference by clicking here.