WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) appeared on CNN's Situation Room to slam Republicans’ manufactured health care crisis in America and call for transparency from the Trump Administration. Below are excerpts from her interview:
On Poland’s Airspace Violated by Russian Drones:
"We have to take this very seriously. We have had drones and other attacks come into Poland. But this is of a different measure.
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"The split screen here is Donald Trump welcoming Putin onto American soil, literally rolling out the red carpet for him, and getting nothing. No concessions. No closer to having peace and success for our ally, Ukraine.
"He has signaled over and over again that he believes Putin. He is willing to work with him, he has a special relationship with him, and he has been very critical of our NATO allies.
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"We are rapidly coming to a situation where, as the United States, we have to be clear about whose side we're on. We are part of NATO, and we have to be ready to come to Poland's defense and take a hard line with the dictator, Putin."
On Israel’s Missile Strike in Qatar:
"Congress needs a clear line of communication with this administration. Whether it is on this or the boat that they destroyed that allegedly had a gang and drugs coming to the United States.
"The lack of intelligence that is coming to Congress from this administration makes it very difficult for us to know what is really happening, and the story changes consistently as the day goes on.
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"We need to take all these things seriously. Obviously, Hamas is a terrorist organization that the world condemns. But also, we have a large military base in Qatar. We have sailors throughout the world that depend on us abiding by international law for their safety.
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"We need to have clear information from our own government about what we are doing, on what intelligence we knew when and on what signals we were sending to our allies.”
On the 2024 Election:
"I'll tell you the lesson that we have learned from the 2024 election. Most households in this country are unable to meet the basics. They are struggling under the crush of the cost of living in this country. That is our focus as House Democrats.
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"We are rapidly coming up to the end of our fiscal year, which means a shutdown if the majority — the Republicans — do not come up with a budget plan that is centered around the American people.
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"We are there fighting against the crisis in health care that they have inflicted on the American people with their cuts to Medicaid, to Medicare, to the ACA and taking away those tax credits."
On Democrats’ Fight to Protect Health Care for Everyday Americans:
"We are clear eyed. We are on the side of the American people. People feel that the system is rigged against them because the system is rigged against them. And what we are seeing from Republicans is they talk a great game … but every single time they put Donald Trump and what he wants over their own constituents.
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"If the Republicans want to come to the table, if they want to have a bipartisan discussion on how we do better and meet this moment of crisis for the American people, we will be at that table with them. If they are going to continue on the path they are on, making everything more expensive, then they can pass this budget on their own."