WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-8), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (CA-33), Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) and Congressional Democrats to denounce Republicans’ reckless budget that hikes costs for working families and further funds ICE terror. Below is a transcript of her remarks:
“We’re about to mark Memorial Day, where we will honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. What a disgrace to spend the days before this solemn commemoration debating this budget.
“This budget that puts over $70 billion into ICE. That is promoting and funding a gilded ballroom. And is putting together a slush fund for allies of the president. Think about that.
“Going into Memorial Day funneling billions of dollars into a violent paramilitary force. Handing taxpayer money to a militia that acts in our neighborhoods as judge, jury, and even executioner. Alex Pretti. Renee Good. Killed in cold blood. In broad daylight. Not because they posed a threat to our security but because they were exercising their fundamnetal freedom to protest.
“Republicans promised the American people their deportation would be about
‘the worst of the worst.’ Instead, we’ve seen communities of law-abiding people be terrorized by their own government. They’ve witnessed the kidnapping and brutalization of their neighbors.
“And this week, we’re seeing the GOP do everything in their power to fund ICE. While doing nothing for the mom I met recently. She makes a good income but between childcare, her mortgage, and student loan payments, when her husband lost his job, they are simply not making it. He is now selling plasma to make sure that they can make their budget work.
“We know we have to do better by the people of this nation. We know that what is being put before them is: Not only are we going to control and fund ICE to terrorize law-abiding citizens, but they are going to be asked to pay for it with their healthcare, with their kids’ school lunches, with Medicare, with Medicaid, with cuts to medical research, and even the elimination of veterans’ benefits.
“So this weekend, when we are hearing the nice tributes from our Republican colleagues — salutes to the service and sacrifice of our veterans, our fallen heroes, and our military families — I’d refer them to the oft-quoted President Kennedy: ‘The highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.’
“Honoring the fallen means rejecting this investment in terror. Let’s vote to invest in the working people of this country and create a future that is worthy of our heroes’ sacrifice.”
View the full press conference, HERE. View photos of the event, HERE.
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