WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined Fair Share America and advocates from across the nation to denounce Republicans' scheme to steal from working Americans to fund tax breaks for the wealthy 1%. Below is a transcript of her remarks:
"We see people across the country just like you, rising up, mobilizing, showing up in the town halls, even when the Members of Congress won't have the courage to meet their voters. We're taking to the streets, we're organizing, and we're saying in one clear voice: ‘Hell no.’
[Hell no!]
“Hell no! I like this crowd. So let's give some credit where credit is due. Can we hear a little shout out for all the moms who are leading the resistance?
"Because we know moms are bearing the brunt of these attacks. We know moms are going to pay the heaviest price. We also know that moms are going to put an end to this insanity. Because Republicans are dismantling Head Start and child care. They are defunding our public schools, taking the public right out of it. They're going after SNAP and programs that feed hungry people in this country. They're attacking Medicaid.
"And now, Donald Trump's decided to wage a trade war. It's not really on other countries. He's waging a trade war on American families — because that’s what’s going to happen to the cost of baby formula, to diapers, to car seats. And Lord knows moms need their coffee. And so we are going to make sure that we say: ‘We're not doing this, hell no.'
"And why is this all happening? Why are they doing all this? They're telling us every single day. You guys get the theme. It's so Elon Musk can pocket another tax break. So SpaceX can get its hand on another contract. So bankers can give themselves a bigger bonus. So the billionaire class can hoard more power and privilege and wealth.
"That's the playbook — more freedom for them, less for you. More money in their pocket, taken from yours. But here's the thing. We are not going to be quiet. We are not going to go peacefully along with this plan.
"So when they say we're going to cut Medicaid in this country, what do we say?
[Hell no!]
"When they say that we are going to cut Social Security that you earned, what do we say?
[Hell no!]
"When they say we're going to take away veterans’ benefits, what do we say?
[Hell no!]
"And when they say we are not concerned that you pay your taxes, we're giving a tax cut to the billionaires, what do we say?
[Hell no!]
"This is how we win. We do it together, in partnership, and I am so proud to be in this fight with you."
To view her complete remarks, click HERE. To view photos, click HERE.