MALDEN, MA – Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined MSNBC's Velshi to discuss Republicans' reckless government shutdown and the devastating impact it is having on working families across the country. Below are excerpts from the conversation:

On Republicans' Refusal to Protect Health Care:

"Listen, Donald Trump had a terrible week between the elections, between the Supreme Court certainly indicating they are going to overturn his dangerous and destructive tariffs, and then going to Senate Republicans and saying, 'break the filibuster' and them refusing to do it.

"So what was the response from Democrats? A very reasonable offer. Extend these tax credits for one year. Let's stop the pain that people are feeling with the premiums they are seeing. Doubling, tripling because Republicans eliminated the tax credits for them. And let's put together a bipartisan group to look at how we can do reforms to make the system work better for people at home.

"And the answer that is given is, 'That’s a nonstarter. We are going to double down on taking away food benefits from kids and veterans and seniors and disabled people.' It is so immoral and depraved what we are watching from this president and from those in Congress who are simply going along."

On Americans' Message to the GOP:

"I thought they might have heard the American people who are shouting from the rooftops, ‘See us. We are not making it in this economy. Costs are too high. We can't afford health care. Corruption is helping drive up those costs on us.’

"When they came into office, they said, 'We're going to lower costs on Day One.' They have made everything harder and more expensive.

"And then we get to their shutdown. When they wanted to ensure that the ultra rich got their tax cuts, they called us in for a special session in July. They couldn't wait. They had to get this done. But the House's response to a shutdown? To this health care crisis that they have manufactured? That we haven't even been in session for eight weeks.

"It is so outrageous. It's such a dereliction of duty, and it is irresponsible — coupled with a huge serving of cruelty."

On the Impact of SNAP Benefit Losses for Working Families:

"Having talked to moms in my district who are looking at this benefit being disrupted, I cannot tell you the fear and anxiety they have. And, they are trying [their] best to hide all of this from their children because they want them to be able to go to school and be able to learn and thrive and not carry these burdens with them.

"But the reality is: they can't afford to feed their kids.

"And we see the arrogance of this president and the congressional leaders who are saying, 'We're not even going to consider the most reasonable of offers. We are just going to charge ahead’ — and fulfill what they always had as their owner's manual: Project 2025."

On Mike Johnson’s Refusal to Swear In Adelita Grijalva:

"Like everything else that Mike Johnson does, [this] is all about pleasing one person, one constituent, and that's Donald Trump.

"Donald Trump does not want these files released. And so he is going to make up excuses for why Adelita Grijalva cannot take her place – her rightful place – in Congress. It is another outrageous move by this speaker.

"And, the speaker of the House is perhaps the most powerful in Republican leadership. He is the one who is in line for the presidency. And what is his role? It's just a constant barrage of excuse-making about not swearing in Adelita Grijalva and about the reasons why he just keeps going along with this shutdown.

"He told us last week that he would love to be able to feed hungry people in this country, if he ‘legally’ could. The courts have said it clearly and loudly: you legally can. Their own general counsel of USDA has said, 'We can do this and fund this program.'

"Where’s Mike Johnson with the outrage? Where's Mike Johnson standing up for his constituents who are looking at outrageous premium hikes because of the decisions he's made to rig this system for the ultra rich?"

To view the complete conversation, click HERE. 

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