Fighting Back: “Our health care is still under attack by the Republican Party”

July 6, 2019 JanF Editors' Choice, Fighting Back 1

 
 

The Weekly Democratic Party Address was delivered by Senator Doug Jones of Alabama, decrying the Republican Party’s assault on our health care.

“Every time the Administration launches a new assault on our health care, folks across my home state and across the country get scared and wonder how they will be able to get the care they need. This is absolutely unacceptable.” —Senator Doug Jones

(CSPAN link to Weekly Democratic Address: here)

No transcript was available but the CSPAN video usually has a closed caption text readout.

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Congress was in recess for the Fourth of July holiday so there was no weekly news conference from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Her holiday letter: Dear Colleague on Fourth of July & Protecting Our Democracy

July 3, 2019

Dear Democratic Colleague,

On the Fourth of July, as we celebrate the birth of America’s independence and the blessings of liberty, I am writing to thank you for your continued leadership to honor the oath we take to protect and defend the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic.

To that end, the good news last week was that we passed the Securing America’s Federal Elections (SAFE) Act, to protect the sanctity of our vote and our electoral system, so central to our democracy. With passage of this important legislation, we continue to build on the promise of H.R. 1, the For The People Act.

The news today is the Trump Administration flipflopping on its statements about moving forward without a citizenship question on the 2020 Census. As long as President Trump continues to try to add a citizenship question to the Census, we will continue our work to expose the Trump Administration’s true, corrupt motivations – including holding the Administration in contempt of Congress on the Census. We will never stop fighting to ensure a fair, accurate and timely Census that counts everyone in every community without fear or confusion. In our democracy, everyone counts.

As we face continued challenges to our Constitution, we will always recall that in the darkest hours of the American Revolution, Thomas Paine wrote, “The times have found us.” Today, the times have found us. We do not place ourselves in the greatness of our Founders, but we do place ourselves in the urgency of securing our democracy. This isn’t about politics. It isn’t about partisanship. It’s about patriotism.

As always, I am proud of the diversity and unity of our Caucus. I thank you for your leadership and hope that you enjoy a very happy Fourth of July with your family and friends.

God bless America!

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Pelosi Statement on the Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

July 2, 2019

San Francisco – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement marking the 55th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964:

“Fifty-five years ago, the work of generations of proud, determined Americans was finally realized when President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964. This momentous achievement overcame generations of oppression, and symbolized a great step forward in our nation’s long fight to make real the promise of our founding – that all are created equal.

“The story of America has always been one of ever-expanding freedoms and opportunities. Since 1964, the Civil Rights Act has stood as the pillar of fairness and justice on which we have built remarkable progress for all Americans. From the historic Voting Rights Act to the Fair Housing Act and more, our nation has slowly, but surely expanded the vision of our Founders to more fully reflect the values that we hold most dear. Despite the incredible advancements we have made, our work to ensure that the blessings of liberty are shared by all is still incomplete.

“House Democrats remain committed to strengthening our democracy and ensuring every American has the opportunity to succeed, free from hatred, prejudice or discrimination. When the Civil Rights Act passed, activists, leaders and elected officials recognized that it was incomplete without the Voting Rights Act. On this anniversary, the sacred right to be heard at the ballot box remains under unprecedented threat, particularly among communities of color. Our Democratic Majority is working tirelessly to advance H.R. 4, the Voting Rights Advancement Act, bold legislation to restore the Voting Rights Act’s ability to combat brazen, partisan voter discrimination across America. Democrats will never waver in our mission to protect and expand the cause of civil rights as we work to build a more just and equal future for all Americans.”

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1 Comment

  1. From Nancy Pelosi: Dear Colleague on Our Battle Cry to Protect the Children

    July 2, 2019

    Dear Democratic Colleague,

    The inhumanity at the border is a challenge to the conscience of America!

    Every day that goes by, we have even greater cause for concern and urgency to enact the protections for children and families that were part of the House-passed border supplemental bill.

    Last week, we saw a disgraceful undermining of American values by Senator Mitch McConnell. Leader McConnell disrespected the House by refusing to go to conference on the commonsense protections in the House-passed border bill, and declared he would table any amended legislation from the House. He clearly does not sufficiently care about the safety and well-being of children at the border.

    Yesterday, I wrote to the President and reiterated the need for DHS to establish sufficient protocols for the health and safety of children and families in CBP custody, for no child to remain longer than 90 days in an influx shelter, and for the Administration to report to Congress the death of any child within 24 hours.

    Today, we have further evidence of inhumanity at the border from the reports of our House delegations, including one led by Chairman Joaquin Castro and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and another led by Congressman John Lewis and Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson.

    As I said on Thursday when the Senate refused to consider the added protections in the House-passed border supplemental bill, our response must be a Battle Cry to Protect The Children.

    What we have witnessed is unconscionable disrespect for the dignity and worth of God’s children. We have witnessed disrespect for the House and for the oversight duty of Members of Congress to visit sites unannounced to uncover the truth for the America people. We have also learned of vile, crude disrespect for children, families and, indeed, Members of Congress by some in CBP, which demands total repudiation by the Border Patrol and the Trump Administration.

    We look forward to receiving the President and the Administration’s response to our urgent requests. We salute the efforts of Members to bear witness at the border and to call witnesses before their committees.

    As we proceed to observe the 4th of July, we will do so with pride in our nation’s purpose and resolve to live up to it, prayerfully, For The People.

    Thank you for your leadership.

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