WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) took to the House Floor to denounce Republicans' so-called SAVE America Act, their latest effort to suppress the voices and votes of millions of American citizens. Below is a transcript of her remarks:
"Let's be clear here: Republicans aren't worried about non-citizens voting. They’re afraid of actual American citizens voting. Why? Because they’re losing!
"Among women, they're losing by 10 points in the upcoming midterms. Because losing is what happens when you tell people you’re going to tackle the high cost of living, and you turn around and hike their health care premiums, you hike their grocery costs — all so billionaires can weasel out of paying their fair share.
"They're trying to say this is a voter ID bill. That's not what's happening here.
"Let's just look at a typical mom — you guys must know some working mothers. The ones that I hear from — across my district and across this country — they are struggling to put food on the table for their kids. Working two jobs to try and make ends meet. Trying to juggle getting their kids to school. Maybe catching an occasional game. Fearing they're never going to be able to find child care they can afford. And praying nobody in the family gets sick because they can't afford a doctor either.
"And now, you're going to say to those women — because they got married and changed their names — they have to go down to a clerk and prove they're citizens, sign affidavits, do this in-person. This is a minefield of red tape that you have put in front of women and American citizens and their right to vote.
"And thanks to the gentlewoman from South Carolina — the so-called 'champion of women and safe places' — this bill will now go into effect immediately. [That] means primaries that are weeks from now — all of these people are going to be met with the fact they didn't have time or know they had to prove their citizenship. Good luck voting, ladies!
"And as a kicker, the bill mandates that every state turn over their voter rolls to DHS and Kristi Noem.
"This bill, Mr. Speaker, is an outrage. This is election rigging. This is voter suppression. The American people aren’t going to stand for it — and nobody should vote for it."
To watch the full speech, click HERE.
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