Chairman Aguilar: It's time for Speaker Johnson and House Republicans to join Democrats in finding a solution to reopen government and address this health care crisis that they've created. The American people are waiting.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar joined Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Democratic Whip Katherine Clark for a press conference about the Republican shutdown and Democrats’ fight to save health care. You can watch the full press conference here and read the transctipt of Chairman Aguilar's remarks below.
CHAIRMAN AGUILAR: Thank you, Whip Clark. Thank you, Leader Jeffries. Before I talk about the shutdown and health care, I did want to touch on the terrifying threat on Leader Jeffries by someone convicted from January 6th. As a member of the January 6th Committee, we deposed, we interviewed a number of individuals who were summoned here to the Capitol that day. And to see Donald Trump pardon 1,500 individuals—what did you think was going to happen? These are individuals who had violent criminality in their past, and we have seen that carry forward now. And this is what happens when you release violent felons. By the way, some of them in their past had issues as child molesters and crimes against children, and we're putting these people back across the country. Following the recent horrific acts of political violence on people of both parties, we should do everything in our power to lower the temperature and keep our communities safe. And that's why I was disturbed by Whip Emmer’s comments, in particular, when talking about individuals who went to rallies, essentially calling American supporters of the Democratic Party supporters of terrorism. That rhetoric at the highest levels in this building and across our government isn't just untrue, it's dangerous and poses a threat to our political leaders, and that needs to stop.
On the shutdown, for more than a month, Republicans have been on vacation while hardworking families are left to ask, ‘What's next for me?’ ‘What's next for my family?’ ‘How will we afford health care?’ ‘How can we pay our bills?’ And it's unacceptable that Speaker Johnson has had us in session, since they passed the One Big Ugly Law, 20 days since then. Over 100 days have lapsed in the calendar, and we have been in session about 20. This is shocking, and it's unacceptable. The American people see this. They can't show up for work 20 days over three and a half months and expect to get paid.
They're using this time to hide from their responsibilities. The responsibilities they have chosen to carry forward unpopular health care policies. Even when Republicans like Marjorie Taylor Greene, Kevin Kiley, Beth Van Duyne have all said that Republicans should be in D.C. working, and even Leader Thune says it's time for House Republicans to consider coming back into session.
The American people are smart. They know who will make their lives better. They know who is looking out for their costs and who wants to lower the costs that they face. And they know Republicans, who control the White House, the House and the Senate, have the power to undo the damage that they've caused with this health care crisis. Democrats aren't giving up. If anything, we're more motivated and focused on our work ahead to protect Americans’ health care. It's time for Speaker Johnson and House Republicans to join Democrats in finding a solution to reopen government and address this health care crisis that they've created. The American people are waiting.
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