WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Members of the House Democratic Women's Caucus to host a Spotlight Forum detailing how Republicans’ Big, Ugly Bill will harm women and girls. Below is a transcript of her remarks: 

"Thank you to our guests for being here today. To Shalanda and Jocelyn, welcome back. We are always pleased to have you on the campus. And to Nancy, and Felecia, and Katina, thank you for taking the time — and Charlie, we're not going to forget Charlie, the star of the show here — for traveling to the Capitol, for sharing your stories, and making your voices heard on behalf of families across the country.

"As we’ll hear from our witnesses, women in America aren’t asking for the moon. They are just people trying to get by.

"Whether they’re taking care of their kids or their parents — or both. Whether they’re in the early stages of their career. Or they're in the final sprint to retirement. Every day, women are fighting uphill against a system that underpays them, overworks them, and overcharges them for the basics.

"Republicans are looking at this system — and all they can say is: 'Why aren’t these women having more babies?' Then they shrug like this is a mystery when the GOP then goes out and proceeds to make it worse.

"That’s certainly the story of the last six months. Cuts to child care. Cuts to public schools. Tariffs on strollers and car seats and diapers and toys. Price hikes on eggs and bananas and baby formula. An economy that is so saturated with chaos that families can’t predict what will happen tomorrow, let alone have the confidence to take out a mortgage or start a business.

"And now — one of the most shameless attack yet: The Big, Ugly Bill. The Big, Ugly Bill that puts a target squarely on the backs of women — especially women of color.

"And, Republicans are so hellbent on cutting taxes for their rich donors, they are choosing to make life harder, more expensive, and more dangerous for America’s 170 million women and girls.

"170 million women. All to help 900 billionaires. That's the formula. 

"Some of the richest, most powerful people to ever live. People who don’t need — and won’t notice — these tax breaks.

"At a time when most American families — 60% of American families — can’t afford the basics, Republicans want to lift the cost of those basics even further out of reach.

"Taking food assistance away from 2 million children. Kicking 16 million Americans off their health coverage. Cutting Medicaid. Cutting Medicare. Raising premiums for ACA plans. Blocking kids — blocking children — from enrolling in the Children’s Health Insurance Program by drowning their parents in red tape.

"They’re even keeping the neediest families from getting the full Child Tax Credit. I mean, come on. What are we doing here?

"They are deeming 20 million children ineligible for help because their parents make too little. That's not a mistake: because their parents make too little.

"In Republican eyes, all of these programs are disposable. Keeping kids fed. Keeping families healthy. In their eyes, the money is better spent filling the pockets of billionaires.

"And if it ended there, this legislation would already be a uniquely vile attack on women. But in a triumph of cruelty, it goes even further. This bill also goes after private health coverage. It shuts down local health clinics — not because it will save money but because there is a vendetta against Planned Parenthood.

"So in addition to forcing a massive wealth transfer from the working class to the billionaire class, this bill would flat out ban abortion coverage from ACA insurance plans.

"It threatens to shut down nearly 600 health centers — predominantly in rural areas where people do not have any other health care options.

"It would take away cancer screenings. Birth control. Prenatal care. Postpartum services. From millions of patients. All in service of this one thing Republicans want even more than tax breaks for billionaires: a nationwide abortion ban.

"And if this bill becomes law, the cost will fall on women who are working hard to get by — and hoping they can get ahead.

"Americans who have a right to be healthy. A right to pursue the life they aspire to. A right to be confident in their future and to be confident in the future for their children.

"I recently heard from my constituent, back in my district, whose name is Minerva. A mom who depends on SNAP to feed three little ones.

"Here’s what she wrote to me: 'I ask for mercy on behalf of all the single moms trying their best to raise their kids.'

"Where is the mercy — where is the compassion in this bill?

"And as Senator Klobuchar pointed out, it would only take a handful of Republicans to stop all of this. And I hope the stories we hear today will give them pause — and make clear just how much is at stake for American women."