WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined the Democratic Women's Caucus to denounce Republican legislation that would obstruct women’s right to vote ahead of the midterm elections. Below is a transcript of her remarks:
"Today, we are here to talk about the SAVE Act. Once again, with this bill, Republicans have decided to prioritize themselves over the people they represent and the democracy they serve.
"Let’s be clear up front: This is not about protecting our elections. Republicans aren’t truly afraid of non-citizens voting — which we all know is already illegal, already grounds for deportation.
"They’re afraid of women voting.
"And let's look at the past year. What has complete Republican control of Washington meant for women and girls?
"Attacks on child care. Attacks on our servicewomen. Tariffs on strollers and car seats and school supplies. Cuts to food assistance. Cuts to Medicaid — a program that pays for nearly half of all births in America. They voted to criminalize OB/GYNs and demonize pregnant women. They engineered an economy so disastrous for working moms that at least 450,000 women have left the workforce.
"But they still find time to cover up for Jeffrey Epstein’s network of pedophiles.
"And now, Republicans have realized they have a political problem on their hand. Look at the latest Fox News’ poll: By a 10-point margin, women plan to vote for a Democrat for Congress.
"So are Republicans backtracking? Are they reaching out to women voters and saying let's bring down the cost of child care? Let's reverse those premium hikes for health insurance? No. They've decided to make it harder for women to vote.
"They are trying to place more red tape, more paperwork, more bureaucracy between women and the ballot box. While they also will funnel all of our voter information to DHS. No guardrails — just straight into the hands of Kristi Noem.
"This is the playbook that we have come to expect from this Republican Party. They make promises. They break those promises. And they try to hide from accountability by rigging elections.
"So we are here to say, as women of the Democratic Caucus: We are not going to let that happen.
"We are going to fight back here in the halls of Congress. We are going to fight back in the courts. And above all, we are going to keep fighting back out in our communities — where women and men are speaking up and making it clear: This is not the America we want. This isn’t the economy we were promised. And this isn’t the legacy that our children deserve."
To view the complete press conference, click HERE. To view photos, click HERE.
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