WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) appeared on MSNBC's Chris Jansing Reports to condemn Republicans for shutting down the U.S. government in order to advance their callous attacks on Americans' health care.  

On Republicans’ Decision to Shut Down the Government:

"This shutdown that they have inflicted on our country is entirely preventable. But we have been waiting since March for them to come and work with us. And every step of the way, they have made life harder and more expensive for Americans, particularly when it comes to driving up the cost and reducing access to health care.

"So, we are here today in an empty Capitol... They're nowhere to be found. But we are going to be here to create a negotiation any time they will meet with us."

On the Possibility of Negotiations:

"What we have said to them is that we are here and waiting.

"...We would welcome them coming and saying we get it. We have to do better by the American people who are already telling us they cannot afford the basics.

"...We are open to negotiation. [But] what they have chosen to do is shut down government, further hurt our economy, further punish federal workers, further punish the American people who rely on their services instead of coming to the table and saying, let's do better by Americans and their health care."

On the GOP Cancelling Votes:

"They are saying to the American people: 'Here is the deal that Republicans have put in front of you. We will cut your health care in order to give tax benefits to the very wealthy.'

"...What we are saying is that is a bad deal for the American people. That is not something that we can live with and rubber stamp — an extreme budget that continues those health care cuts.

"...The response we got from Speaker Johnson and House Republicans is that they canceled session. They are saying it is not even worth coming in and doing our jobs. That's not disrespectful to Democrats. That's disrespectful to the American people whose voices they are cutting out of this process."

On Democrats’ Fight to Protect Americans’ Health Care:

"We are going to have a continuing dialog with constituents. It's what we have been doing since the Republicans proposed these Medicaid cuts. And that is why you see that their bill is so profoundly unpopular. 

"...I can tell you, Republicans would be wise to do the same, because the stories aren't just coming from blue parts of this country. They're coming from every part.

"People are afraid they're going to have no place or way to pay for the birth of their expected baby. They are worried that the cancer treatment they're undergoing, or their loved one is, is no longer going to be able to be continued because they're not going to have that health care.

"I am hearing overwhelmingly from small business owners that the ACA is what allows them to keep their business afloat. They are not sure they can do that under the double whammy of the ACA premiums exploding in cost and the tariffs that this administration has applied.

"So we will always be in conversation with the American people, because that is what this fight is about. Making sure that we can lower their costs, save their health care, and ensure they have the opportunity they deserve."

To view the complete interview, click HERE. 

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