BOSTON, MA — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined CNN News Central ahead of a Tuesday vote on House Republicans’ billionaire-first budget. Below are excerpts from her interview:
On Trump Installing MAGA Loyalists:
"This administration is replacing people of merit — people who are patriots — with loyalists.
"And what happens? The security of the American people is being threatened, and they understand it. They see it in what's happening in the economy. They see it in what's happening in the federal workforce. When they are looking at delays in Social Security checks, in IRS refunds. Real implications of what they are doing to the federal workforce when you replace it with the criteria that you have unfailing loyalty to Donald Trump."
On The Impacts of Republicans’ Billionaire-First Budget:
"[Trump] has betrayed what he said he would do: focus on the American people, bringing down the cost of groceries and housing. What he's doing instead is taking away their health care with a sleight of hand to give it to the very wealthiest and largest corporations in this country for a tax cut.
"That's what's on the Floor this week, which is so outrageous and such a betrayal of people.
"Let me tell you one story from my district: a constituent who is dealing with a husband who has early onset dementia. She is trying to work and care for her husband at the same time. She can't do it without Medicare.
"And so, when those cuts that Donald Trump has given the sign off to the House to go forward with this week hit home, Elon Musk is going to be okay. Because he can be cocooned in his enormous wealth. But the people of my district — Republican constituents who voted for them — are not going to be okay. They are being asked to foot this tax bill to benefit Elon Musk."
On Democrats’ Fight Against Trump’s Unconstitutional Power Grab:
"First, we understand that we are the minority party in the House and the Senate, and they have the White House. And what we have seen is cowardice from House Republicans who won't stand up for their constituents because they don't want to step out of line. So we are calling out the illegal and unconstitutional acts that we are seeing in the courts. That's our first line of defense; over 78 cases have already been brought, and we are winning and holding Elon Musk and Donald Trump accountable.
"Second, we are using the legislative tools that we have. We're clear eyed that we're in the minority, but they have a very slim majority in the House. So we're putting bills on the Floor that would say to Elon Musk: ‘Get out of our tax data. Get out of our health care data. You do not legally belong in those systems, threatening the privacy and security of our constituents.’ And we are asking and putting pressure on three Republicans.
"That's all it takes to have the courage to stand up for the people who sent them to Washington and say no to this. Say no to stealing their hard-earned tax dollars — that we all want spent efficiently — and handing it over to the billionaire class in this country."
On House Republicans’ Refusal to Side With the American People:
"They are missing the moment here — that they need to stand up for the American people. Stand up for their constituents. And we just see cowardice. We just see them bowing to Trump. Bowing to the fear that Elon Musk will fund a primary opponent for them.
"Is there any red line that they won't cross? Is there anything that they won't give from their constituents to the billionaire class because Donald Trump told them so? So far, we haven't seen a single sign of actual courage in vote. Let's see what happens this week. I hope we find a few who will stand up and say: 'This isn't going to be on my watch.'"
To view the complete interview, click HERE.