WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined Democratic Women's Caucus (DWC) Chairwoman Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-3), DWC Vice Chair Emilia Sykes (OH-13), DWC Vice Chair Hillary Scholten (MI-3), DWC Whip Emily Randall (WA-6), and other Members of the Democratic Women's Caucus to underscore the devastation that Republicans’ health care cuts are inflicting on women and families. Below is a transcript of her remarks:
"Thank you, Teresa, and all of my DWC colleagues... so proud of all of us for standing up, and speaking out, and fighting for a budget worthy of America’s women and families.
"Meanwhile, over at the White House, what have they been up to? Between remodeling a bathroom and building a new ballroom, they also issued a warning over birth rates. They are surprised that they are dropping, and they consider this a national security threat.
"But what is the response from the House GOP after their 54-day hiatus? They are voting to make it even harder and more expensive to support a family. They are voting to double, triple, and even quadruple health care premiums. After they already voted to take $1 trillion away from Medicaid, a program that covers 40% of births, of children, and of disabled Americans in this country.
"So ask a mom anywhere, ask caretakers anywhere, and they'll tell you this is a catastrophe for working families. And while Republicans were out of town, Democrats met with Mariah.
"Mariah Plante is a small business owner from West Virginia. She is going to be hit twice by this Republican budget. She is the loving, devoted caretaker to her brother Matt. Matt is legally blind. He has non-verbal autism, and it's thanks to Medicaid that Mariah is able to provide the care that he needs and to care for him surrounded by his loved ones.
"At the same time, Mariah is able to get her coverage under the Affordable Care Act. It's thanks to the ACA that she can run her own business and be able to take care of Matt.
"Republicans already voted to dismantle the program that allows her to keep her brother home. And now they're going after her coverage as well. Today, they're voting to double her premiums.
"She told us: 'That’s a devastating hit for working people like me. There is not one good thing in this bill for West Virginia.' Mariah's story is the story of women across this country.
"And what are Republicans doing? Affordability is the crisis of our time, and they're hiking premiums on their own constituents? Taking home care away from disabled Americans? Taking maternity care away from pregnant women? And taking doctor's visits away from children?
"They are doing this to the people they represent, people who voted for them, who voted for Donald Trump because they promised to lower their cost of living.
"I don't know if Republicans thought they could just get away with breaking their promises, but last Tuesday made it pretty clear that, if that was their bet, they're dead wrong.
"House Democrats are here to fight for the dignity, and affordability, and financial security that women and all Americans deserve. And you better believe we are just beginning this fight."
For photos of the event, click HERE. To view the full press conference, click HERE.