MALDEN, MA — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined MSNBC's Ana Cabrera Reports, where she called out Speaker Johnson and the House GOP for pushing through their billionaire-first budget in the dark of night. Below are excerpts from her interview: 

On the GOP’s Billionaire-First Budget:

"I can tell you that I am worried about this bill because this is an incredibly huge wealth transfer from working families to the very wealthiest Americans, the billionaire class.

"This is a big, bad bill that benefits billionaires. That's what it is.

"And we are seeing them work so hard to fund these tax cuts while running up our deficit at the expense of health care for almost 14 million Americans [and] taking away food programs — either outright or reducing benefits for another 11 million Americans.

"And for what? Just to pay for these tax cuts. It is an outrage. And we are hearing from every corner of this country, from the American people, that this is a very bad deal for them. And it is one that Democrats are going to oppose with everything we have."

On Republican Infighting and the Possibility of Concessions:

"We are way past the concession phase here, because this is a completely partisan bill. They have rejected opportunities. 

"They wouldn't even tell us last night about what the proposed changes [were] and side deals they were making. And now for the next step in this process, they have set the hearing for Rules Committee at 1 a.m. — 1 a.m.

"If you have a bill that you are proud of — a bill that is helping meet the high cost of living for the American people, a bill that could expand health care, that takes care of our veterans and our seniors and our children — you do not hold the hearing at 1:00 a.m.

"So we're going to be there at 1 a.m., and we'll be there whenever they want to come talk about this.

"We will continue to offer ideas on how we could actually have fair taxes in this country, where everyone pays their fair share and be able to continue to expand health care for people and make sure that we are feeding those who are hungry in this great country, the wealthiest country on earth. 

"To make these kinds of decisions, to make the winner's circle so small at the expense of working families and kids and seniors and veterans. That is something that they may be divided about how to go about these cuts. We are unified in our opposition."

On Concerns Over the Recent Dip in America’s Credit Rating:

"What we are seeing with this bill is another huge debt increase. They are proposing to put $5 trillion on the credit card. In addition to all of these cuts they are making to the American people. In pursuit of what? Again, in pursuit of tax cuts for the not only top 1%, but 0.1% who will benefit the most.

"So let's get back to having policy, where we have an economy that works for everyone, where everyone has an opportunity to meet with success, to build wealth. That is how we get rid of the deficit and are able to cut it."