Mayor Edwin M. Lee today issued the following statement regarding pending legislation in Congress to lift the debt ceiling:

“In San Francisco, we have balanced our budget while protecting critical social services, keeping public safety personnel on the streets and supporting job creation.

I join mayors and state leaders from across the country in urging Congress to avert an economic crisis and reach agreement on a bipartisan debt deal, so that the gains we have made in our cities can keep moving in the right direction.

Thanks to the leadership of President Obama and continued bipartisan agreement, a balanced framework will protect the long-term health of our nation’s economy and avoid hurtful triggers in 2013 that would have serious affects on our local economies.

I hope that cities will be heard in this debate. We must be empowered with the tools to grow local economies, invest in critical infrastructure, create jobs, protect public safety and protect our most vulnerable residents.

I thank the President for investing in higher education, so that we invest in our children’s future and ensure they can succeed in the 21st century workforce.”