WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA) took to the House Floor to oppose House Republicans’ Politics Over Parents Act. Below is a transcript of her remarks: 

“I am the proud mom of three. Altogether, I have 36 cumulative school years under my belt. And I served on a school board for 6 of those, fighting for parents and for kids. So, I speak from experience when I call on this Chamber to oppose the GOP’s Politics Over Parents Act.

“Once again, the Majority is showing us how out of touch they are with American families. They are obsessed with ‘wokeism’ – even as they struggle to define what that even means. 

“But let me tell you, parents in this country are wide awake. They wake up every day and do the best they can to provide for their families. They wake up, and they want great schools, where every single child can learn and excel.

“Parents want affordable child care. They know that’s the beginning of a great education. Right now, parents are spending nearly a quarter of their family budget on child care – and that’s when they can find it at all.

“Congress had a chance to cut those costs for families. Every single House Republican voted no. That’s Politics Over Parents.

“Parents know that building a better future means teaching our country’s history. They know we have to address our teacher shortage. But, demonizing educators and banning books like ‘To Kill A Mockingbird?’ That’s Politics Over Parents.

“Parents know that taking care of a sick child shouldn’t cost them their paycheck. They should not have to send that child to school sick because they don’t have paid leave. But, the United States remains one of the only developed countries in the world without paid family leave. Every single House Republican voted against this basic benefit. That’s Politics Over Parents.

“Moms and dads want schools and communities [that] are safe. They do not want their children shot while they are in school. Just yesterday, Denver families faced the horror of yet another school shooting. House Republicans refuse to enact commonsense reforms. Why? Politics Over Parents.

“How about something as basic as feeding our children? Nope. House Republicans voted against the Child Tax Credit. They voted to slash food stamps and eliminate free school lunches. Once again, Politics Over Parents.

“And, then there’s the shameless hypocrisy. Talking about parents’ rights as the GOP strips away Americans’ right to decide if and when they are going to have children? At every turn, House Republicans have undermined the rights, freedom, and wellbeing of our nation’s families. 

“Let’s say 'yes' to parents and ‘no’ to this shameful bill.”
 

To watch the full speech, click HERE.