WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-8) and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (CA-33) for a press conference condemning Republicans’ plan to defund health care, hike premiums, and close hospitals. Below is a transcript of her remarks:

"We are living in very difficult times. The air around our politics is crackling with potential violence. The lionization of hatred has opened deep wounds. And most importantly, the American Dream is out of reach for many. The top 1% controls more wealth than our nation’s entire middle class, while most households in this country — 60% — cannot afford the basics.

"Donald Trump rode into the presidency on the promise of giving those households a break, making life more affordable, giving hardworking people some breathing room. He and his loyalists in the House have betrayed that promise. They have made life harder and more expensive — soaring the cost of groceries, clothes, and utility bills.

"Nowhere is this betrayal of the American people more evident than the Republicans’ deep cuts in health care, denying millions of Americans the ability to get care when they need it.

"Republicans have voted to kick 15 million people off of their health insurance. They have stripped Medicare of half a trillion dollars. Today, in their budget, they are prepared to cancel coverage for another 4 million people while they soar premiums for everyone.

"The Republicans are voting to close hospitals and nursing homes. They are voting to defund cancer screenings, maternity care, and medical research. They are dismantling the public health system that keeps us safe.

"All of this — all of this pain and cost — is so Republicans can give tax cuts to the extremely wealthy.

"Well, we are here to say: the American people deserve better.

"When Donald Trump says, "don’t work with Democrats," he’s saying don’t work for families at home.

"Americans deserve a lifeline. They deserve to have the tools to build their own success. They don’t deserve to be pushed down and left behind.

"Democrats believe people deserve health care that is affordable and available — care that is treated as a right, not a luxury item.

"Republicans created this bill, this budget, all on their own. If they want to pass a budget that rips away health care, destroys jobs, and soars costs, if they want to make health care a luxury reserved for the rich, they can do that on their own.

"Democrats will be voting for the American people."

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

# # #