U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka is telling his peers in the Senate they should strike a balance between tax increases and spending cuts to reach a deal on raising the nation’s debt limit.

The Democrat representing Hawaii spoke about the debt debate from the U.S. Senate floor on Monday.

Akaka called on his colleagues to negotiate an agreement that brings down the debt without placing an undue burden on the sick, the poor, the unemployed and seniors.

Akaka says failure to raise the debt ceiling would force the government to choose which of its obligations to meet and damage worldwide confidence in the United States’ financial system.

He says senators should remember the nation’s obligation to veterans and those depending on Social Security.