WASHINGTON, D.C. —Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) took to the House Floor to denounce Republicans' recissions bill, which threatens local disaster readiness and undermines America’s national security. Below is a transcript of her remarks:
"Sunday is Father’s Day. And what do dads want?
"They want a fair shot. They want to know, if they work hard, they can provide for their families.
"But right now, most families in America can’t even afford the basics. 60% of families — in the richest nation on earth — cannot afford the first rung of the American Dream.
"So what are my Republican colleagues doing about that?
"They voted for a Big, Ugly Bill that makes it even harder to raise a child in America. Takes away health care from 16 million Americans. Takes food benefits from working parents. They’re cutting half-a-trillion dollars from Medicare. And they’re hiking costs of everyday items with their tariffs.
"All to fund tax breaks for the billionaire class.
"That alone is a betrayal of working families. But the GOP is not stopping there. They’re not stopping at dismantling people’s financial security.
"Today, they’re threatening their physical security. Because when you defund public broadcasting, you are defunding emergency broadcasts during hurricane season. Tornado season. Wildfire season.
"And that’s not even enough. They have to take even more.
"Today, you are also voting to dismantle our national security. There are three shields that defend our homeland: Defense, diplomacy, and development.
"When you destroy our capacity to address famine, control disease, and build infrastructure in developing nations, you are ceding our power to our rivals. You are planting the seeds of future wars.
"A prominent Republican said this week, he just couldn’t 'justify' these investments. And in this debate, I have heard that this is about putting America first.
"What are you talking about? You just cut food programs and health care for American families.
"And here’s what you fundamentally don’t seem to understand. There is no security for billionaires in this country without security for a hungry child. There’s no security for the ultra-rich donors without security for working parents.
"In the words of President Kennedy: 'If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.'
"Please vote no."
To view her remarks, click HERE.
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