WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) took to the House Floor to condemn Republicans for voting to hike everyday costs after returning from their 54-day vacation. Below is a transcript of her remarks: 

"Donald Trump said the cost-of-living crisis is fake news — 'a con job by the Democrats.'

"Mr. Speaker, 60% of Americans can’t afford a basic quality of life. 45% have had to skip a doctor’s appointment or a prescription. 41% are living with medical debt.

"The American people are simply not making it.

"Not only is that crisis real. It is a crisis Republicans that promised to solve. Voters believed them. 

"And now, after a 54-day hiatus, what are Republicans doing? They’re voting to raise the cost of living. They’re voting to make it even harder to get by. Not by some marginal amount — they are doubling, tripling, and quadrupling monthly premiums.

"And what’s the defense? They are looking people in the eye and flat-out gaslighting them: 'Costs aren’t up. Costs are down!'

"Trump says: 'I don’t want to hear about the affordability.' Well get used to hearing about it! You’re going to hear about it a lot — because people are feeling it every single day.

"People can’t make rent. They can’t afford their prescriptions. They can’t afford to take their kid to a doctor. They can’t find child care — and when they find it, they can't afford that either. Grocery and utility bills are spiking.

"This is the crisis of our time. And it’s about to get exponentially worse because of the GOP’s craven allegiance to billionaires over working people.

"The cost-of-living crisis is not 'fake news.' It's not a 'perception issue.' It is daily life for the people we all represent. So let’s do something about it. Let’s reject this budget. Let’s stop the health care cuts. Let’s stop the premium hikes. Let’s stop the hospital closures. And let’s stop the billionaire giveaways."

To watch the full speech, click HERE.  

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