Rep. Jackson: Compromise 'gained by extortion and a weak defense'

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) on Monday said that he would be voting against the debt-ceiling increase deal saying it was "gained by extortion and a weak defense."

"While I will not support the proposed 'compromise' gained by extortion and a weak defense, my constituents will have to live with the consequences of a bad deal should it pass the House and the Senate today as expected," Jackson said in a statement.

Jackson said that minorities and women would suffer most from the deal.

"With regard to raising the debt ceiling, Democrats were left with two raw choices:  (1) a job killing default according to Boehner; or (2) a job killing austerity from my perspective.  And who will suffer the most under the apparent winner of the job killing austerity plan?  Those who are already suffering the most under present conditions — African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans and women," Jackson continued.

Jackson is one of a number of House Democrats who have voiced criticism to the deal, which President Obama and congressional leaders signed off on Sunday night. The deal would cut $2.1 trillion from the deficit over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office, while also raising the ceiling by an equal amount. The deal also calls for the creation of a bicameral commission to build a $1.5 trillion deficit-reduction package.

Jackson called for minority and women legislators to be represented on the commission.

"Therefore I think it is only fair that African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans and women be represented among the 6 Democrats who will be assigned as negotiators of future budget cuts and revenue increases. African Americans, Hispanics, Asians and women deserve appointments by the Democratic Leadership to the new "Super Congress" Committee," Jackson said.