WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined leaders of the Democratic Women's Caucus — Reps. Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-3), Hillary Scholten (MI-3), Pramila Jayapal (WA-7), Marcy Kaptur (OH-9), and Emilia Sykes (OH-13) — to denounce Republicans' billionaire-first budget and underscore the harms it poses to women and children nationwide. Below is a transcript of her remarks:
On Republicans’ Budget Stripping Women and Families of Access to Food and Health Care:
"House Democrats are busier than ever — but unfortunately, not for the reasons you’d hope.
"This week, Republicans are putting pen to paper on their billionaire-first budget. And it’s as devastating as we’ve feared.
"They can’t duck and hide anymore. They can’t spin it. They can’t lie to their constituents. It’s right there in black and white: The Republican budget will rip health care and groceries from tens of millions of working families.
"It cuts food assistance for moms and kids and babies. It slashes Medicaid — the largest health insurer in America. The program that covers 40% of births in this country. They are continuing to threaten the safety of our communities by using deportation as a tool of intimidation. And that’s who’s they're going after. That's who they will have pay for these billionaire tax cuts.
"Republicans promised in their campaigns to make life easier, more hopeful for families in this country. Millions of women believed them. And this week, they are demonstrating their betrayal.
"I challenge every person in this room to ask these so-called 'moderate' Republicans: Are you going to vote for a budget that makes it harder, more expensive, and more dangerous to become a mother?
"How are you going to defend such a cruel, callous vote to people who trusted you?
"Why are you choosing Trump and his billionaire cabinet over the health of sick children and pregnant moms?
"Whatever those Republicans decide, House Democrats are in this fight to stand up for the American people. We’re going to keep fighting for a country that Americans actually want. Where there is more opportunity, more wealth, and more power for working families. Not the billionaire class.
"I’m proud to be joined by leaders who are waging this fight every day. They’re going to dive deeper into the impacts of this budget on women and families.
"And we'll start with the gentlewoman from Michigan, Vice Chair of the Democratic Women's Caucus, Hillary Scholten."
On Republican Budget Provision That Strips Funding From Planned Parenthood:
"We will see what happens. I think that this particular provision is going to run into procedural trouble.
"But really, let's back up and look at the values that they are showing here. What they have done by taking away reproductive freedom in this country — by the Trump appointed Supreme Court ruling on Dobbs — we have seen limitations placed on women that I did not think I would see in my lifetime.
"Besides access to reproductive care — to abortion care — we are also now seeing that in one-third of all of the counties in this country, there's no obstetric care. And Planned Parenthood is often one of those providers that is offering the cancer screenings, the important preventative health care that is not offered anywhere else.
"So not only is this [an] attack on reproductive health, it is just a continuation of taking away health care from Americans — in particular American women — in order to pay for tax cuts for those who will have no problem paying any medical bill, finding access to health care. And as Marcy Kaptur just said so eloquently: it is morally bankrupt."
To watch the full press conference, click HERE. For photos, click HERE.
# # #