WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-8) and Ranking Members Frank Pallone (NJ-6), Brendan Boyle (PA-2), and Angie Craig (MN-2), to announce a discharge petition for the Hands Off Medicaid and SNAP Act. Below is a transcript of her remarks:

On Rising Costs for American Families:

“Look at where we are. In just over 100 days, Trump has already spiked the cost of groceries. Thanks to his tariffs, we have empty ports. And we’re weeks away from those empty ports turning into empty shelves and even higher prices. Making it harder to put food on the table. Making it harder to see the doctor. Making it harder to afford housing. All to fund tax breaks for the wealthiest few.

“It seems like the Republicans these days have two settings: one, waste time, or two, actively make things worse. This week, they’re renaming the Gulf of Mexico to fill time while they finalize how to kick moms and kids and seniors off of health care, how to take food and school lunches away from the people of this country and our children. 

“All of this poses a question for those House Republicans who like to call themselves moderates. Here’s a chance for you, your friends, your fellow ‘moderates,’ to show that you actually care about your constituents.

“It only takes a handful of Republicans to stop this. Just a few — to protect Medicaid and save working families from losing their health care and going hungry.

“Try asking them in the halls today. Let’s see if they are ready to vote for the people they represent.”

On Republicans’ Record on Medicaid:

“This is yet another C.Y.A. move by the House Republicans, and frankly, the American people are tired of it. You are seeing it in town halls. We’re seeing it across this country. People do not want them to take away their basic needs — health care, food, school lunch programs, feeding our seniors, Meals on Wheels — in order to fund tax cuts.

“And what we see repeated is so-called moderates writing letters to the Speaker saying, ‘This is not good for my district. It’s not good for the country, for people.’ But then turning around and voting for it twice anyhow. And so, this latest resolution just falls right into the same, you know, inauthentic action. 

“If you actually want to take and protect health care in this country, and you actually think that this is terrible for working families out there to take away their health care and food programs in order to have tax cuts for the very wealthiest, then vote on it. Vote on it. Don't file something that becomes ripe, you know, 30 legislative days for now.

“Let’s do it this week. And let's get back to a process and talking about taxes that makes sense and is centered around families at home.”

To watch the full press conference, click HERE. To view photos, click HERE.