WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined Caring Across Generations' Protect Medicaid Vigil on the National Mall to speak out against the Republican plan to slash health care to pay for tax cuts for the very wealthy. Below is a transcript of her remarks:

"So, today is Wednesday, Wednesday in the House of Representatives. Do you know what that means? Today was the day they had planned all their committee hearings to cut Medicaid. But we're not having those hearings. Do you know why? Because of you. Because we may be sitting a few blocks away, but they are hearing you. They're hearing you across this country come together and demand fairness and equity. 

"And they know that you understand the playbook here. That you take health care away for millions of kids. That you take health care away from people who need it. You take health care away that pays for over half of the births in this country, and you give it all to the billionaire class in the form of a tax cut. You have exposed what is going on and they are responding. So we are going to keep it up!

"And every single day I hear from my constituents, people whose lives depend on Medicaid, people who understand this isn't just another government program, it is one of the greatest achievements that we have from our American government.

"So, when you have a program that covers 40% of the births in this country, 45% of special needs kids, and 99% of kids in foster care, that's who they want to go after to pay for tax cuts for Elon Musk? We are here to say, ‘No way, hands off! Hands off! Hands off!'

"I'm going to share a story with you for your vigil about a mom in Massachusetts who's been on my mind. She told me about her son, who was born with spinal muscular atrophy. It is challenging for him, but his challenges do not define who he is.

"He's a proud college grad and he works full time. He is embracing all the joys and opportunities of life because he has the resources to get through the day from Medicaid. He's been on Medicaid since the age of two.

"That's how they have afforded his wheelchairs, the medical equipment he depends on, the treatment he needs three times a year, the personal care attendants who help him every single day. Medicaid doesn't just keep him alive, it allows him to live.

"And here's what his mom wrote to me: ‘Without Medicaid, he would be lost. Without the strength to work, without the care to survive. Cuts to this program are inhumane, and we cannot allow the inhumanity to destroy innocent people. We will not allow their greed to dictate life in this country, because it is built and belongs to the working people, not the billionaire class.’

So, we're going to fight. We're going to fight because you deserve a country where health care for working families is not controversial and where dignity and opportunity are not considered luxury items.

"We can win this fight. And you have shown today, by these canceled hearings, that you are making a difference. So, we're going to keep it up, and we're going to join together, and we're going to pull the stories from our communities and bring them to people, even when they run away from us and run away from their own voters. And we are going to make sure that the end of the day, when we talk about a country's ideals of equality and liberty and justice for all, that we bring them to reality. Let's keep up the fight. Thank you for being here."

To view her remarks, click HERE. For photos of the event, click HERE.