WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Day 36 of the GOP shutdown, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-8), Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (CA-33), DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-1), DPCC Co-Chair Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Steering & Policy Committee Co-Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), and Caucus Leadership Representative Steven Horsford (NV-4) to call on Republicans to return to work and join Democrats at the negotiating table. Below are excerpts from her remarks:

On the American People's Message to Congress:

"Here’s what the voters told us last night: They want leaders who will protect their health care, who will protect SNAP and food benefits, who will protect Head Start, who will bring down the cost of living.

"That is the mandate of the American people. To prioritize the budgets of working people over the demands of billionaires.That’s what the American people want. And that is what Democrats are going to keep fighting for.

"And at some point, Republicans need to hear what people are saying, because it's clear. They are saying, 'Enough is enough.' They see through the Republican spin. They see through the games. They see the last year for what it is: a string of back-to-back broken promises. There is nothing left for Republicans to do but get back to work.

"It’s not too late to stop these premium hikes. It’s not too late to fully fund SNAP and Head Start, Medicaid, Medicare, and the ACA. Our message to the Republicans is clear: Come back to work. Reopen government. Stop cowering, and start governing."

On Negotiating with House Republicans: 

"This bargain that they have cooked up, that they are going to take Medicare and Medicaid, and the ACA tax credits, and veterans benefits, and medical research in this country, and the SNAP program, and cut them in order to pay for permanent tax cuts for the very wealthiest — it is outrageous.

"Where are they? How would they even know what a negotiation looks like? We've been sitting, waiting for them to come back to Washington, and they simply refuse.

"We are here. We understand that we need to end this shutdown. And we have been shouting from the rooftops. And now we have been joined by a chorus of American voters...

"When 60% of American households can't afford the basics, it is long past time they come and work with Democrats. We understand they control the House, the Senate and the White House. That's how we got into this shutdown. That is their choice. We stand ready to negotiate. But you can't negotiate without a partner."

To view the complete press conference, click HERE. To view photos, click HERE.