The U.S. House of Representatives, led by Speaker John Boehner and his Republican allies, voted to put off the debt ceiling fight until May 18. 

This is good news—no doubt about it—and it shows the power of working people when they make their voices heard. But don’t think for a second that Republicans have given up trying to tank the economy to get their way. Or trying to cut Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare benefits. Or trying to cut taxes for Wall Street and rich people. Because they haven’t and they won’t. This fight is still on.

Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) seemingly have rallied enough of their House allies to push the battle over causing a U.S. government default down the road, with a temporary three-month extension of the government's borrowing authority (or "debt ceiling"). But House Republicans have not changed their ransom demands. They've simply chosen a different hostage. For now.

Working families all over the United States are gearing up for round two in the fiscal showdown. Once again, Republicans in Congress are demanding benefit cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and threatening to tank our economy by causing a default of the U.S. government on March 1 unless they get their way. Write a letter to the editor today asking our elected officials to:

1. Oppose benefit cuts to Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid.
2. Close loopholes for Wall Street and the richest 2% of Americans.

Are you feeling disgusted and cynical watching Republican lawmakers as they grip the wheel in the game of chicken that could wreck the nation’s credit rating and leave working families to salvage the debris?

At more than 100 events across the country today, workers, students, seniors and health care, civil rights and faith activists are demanding a debt deal that protects seniors and the middle class while making sure the rich and corporations pay their fair share.

Mary Jane says she brought her hand-made sign “Rich Tax Dodgers Pay Your Fair Share” to Capitol Hill this afternoon because:

I’m extremely concerned about the debt ceiling deal. I’m extremely concerned that a “bipartisan” deal will mean big cuts for Social Security and Medicare.

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) insists on severe cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and keeping huge tax breaks for millionaires and corporations as part of his debt ceiling plan.

If you’re in the Washington, D.C., area tomorrow, join us at a noon rally on the east side of the Capitol steps (click here for directions). You’ll have a chance to make your voice heard and tell Democrats to stand strong against Republican debt ceiling proposals that cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid while keeping keep tax breaks for millionaires, billionaires and oil companies.

Republican House Speaker John Boehner’s proposed budget is ”tantamount to a form of class warfare,” according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP). If enacted, “it could well produce the greatest increase in poverty and hardship produced by any law in modern U.S. history.

AFL-CIO Field Communications staffer Cathy Sherwin sends us this report from Little Rock, Ark.

When local politicians and party donors began boarding the paddle wheeler Arkansas Queen Friday night for a fundraiser with Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus they were met by a large group of community, faith and union activists.