Editors’ Choice

Posts selected by Moose editors

Editors' Choice, Fighting Back

Fighting Back: “We must connect all Americans to affordable broadband internet.”

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The Weekly Democratic Party Address was delivered by Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina discussing the digital divide and Democratic plans to connect all Americans to affordable broadband internet.

(In this week’s address, the House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn, Chair of the House Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crisis and Chair of the House Democratic Rural Broadband Task Force discussed the urgent need, in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, to connect all Americans to affordable broadband internet.)

“Just as the Great Depression made clear to many that electricity was the ‘next greatest thing’ in the 20th century, the coronavirus pandemic is making clear to all that broadband is the ‘next greatest thing’ for many in the 21st century.

We call for investing $80 billion to deploy a secure and resilient broadband infrastructure to expand access for communities nationwide, connecting unserved and underserved rural, suburban and urban areas across the country, while prioritizing persistent poverty communities.

(CSPAN link to Weekly Democratic Address: here)

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Editors' Choice, Fighting Back

Fighting Back: “Democrats will continue to use truth as our guide.”

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The Weekly Democratic Party Address was delivered by Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) reminding everyone that Democrats rely on science and data to guide our policies.

(Rep. Bennie G. Thompson of Mississippi, the Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, discussed the urgent need for widespread testing, data on impact in communities of color and equipment for health care workers and first responders.)

“Before we move forward, we must get to the truth. The truth is that the response to this pandemic has not been as stellar as the President keeps repeating. The truth is there is much more we need to fix now to get it right.

“If we are to succeed in this crisis and work together, we must use the truth as our guide. While we have hard days ahead, we must rely on science and data and follow the directions of the health experts and doctors.

“What we do in the coming weeks will be key to our recovery. You can be sure that House Democrats will continue to use the truth, as we put workers and families first.

(CSPAN link to Weekly Democratic Address: here)

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Democratic Party Values, Editors' Choice, Election 2020

President Barack Obama Endorses Joe Biden for President

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President Barack Obama has endorsed his former Vice President, Joe Biden, for president.

Text (bolding added).

“Hi everybody. Let me start by saying the obvious – these aren’t normal times. As we all manage our way through a pandemic unlike anything we’ve seen in a century, Michelle and I hope that you and your families are safe and well. If you’ve lost somebody to this virus, or if someone in your life is sick, or if you’re one of the millions suffering economic hardship, please know that you’re in our prayers. Please know that you’re not alone. Because now’s the time for all of us to help where we can and to be there for each other, as neighbors, as coworkers, and as fellow citizens.

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Editors' Choice, Fighting Back

Fighting Back: “Democrats are working to make sure that the CARES Act provides help for all businesses, not just the well-connected.”

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The Weekly Democratic Party Address was delivered by Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland discussing plans to insure that under-served people and communities have access to the CARES small business loans.

(“In order for our small businesses to survive, Congress must find a way to work in a bipartisan fashion to enact solutions that serve everyone, especially those most in need due to this public health crisis we are facing.”)

Congress will have to provide additional funding in the future, there are other vital SBA relief programs that have ALREADY exhausted their funding, including the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and the EIDL grant program.

Adding money only to the Paycheck Protection Program, as the Trump administration requested, will not help those still waiting to apply for urgently needed economic disaster loans and grants. Senate Democrats are working to add funds to those programs now, as well as the Paycheck Protection Program.

Our proposal would reserve $60 billion for financial institutions with strong relationships in under-served and rural communities, including community banks, credit unions and microlenders, to ensure that small businesses in every community have an opportunity to secure the economic relief they need.

(CSPAN link to Weekly Democratic Address: here)

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Editors' Choice, Fighting Back

Fighting Back: “House Democrats will lead the way by putting Workers and Families First.”

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The Weekly Democratic Party Address was delivered by Congresswoman Nita Lowey of New York discussing additional help needed for workers and families during the pandemic.

(Chairwoman Nita Lowey of the Appropriations Committee discussed House Democrats’ efforts to support our frontline health care providers and invest in struggling workers and families, in addition to progress on new legislation to foster a strong recovery for every American community in response to the coronavirus.)

As Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee, I helped shepherd three coronavirus response bills through Congress.

While these efforts have made funds available to address the health crisis and helped cushion the economic blow, they are not enough.

Right now, House Democrats are writing legislation to further support workers and foster a strong recovery. We must help states and cities on the front lines of the crisis to provide essential services, including education, even as tax revenue dries up. And we can build a more resilient economy with robust investments in smart, safe infrastructure, including bringing clean water and the promise of high-speed broadband to every American community.

House Democrats will lead the way by putting Workers and Families First.

(CSPAN link to Weekly Democratic Address: here)

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Editors' Choice, Fighting Back

Fighting Back: “The American people can count on us to be there with them every step of the way.”

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The Weekly Democratic Party Address was delivered by Senator Gary Peters of Michigan – one of the states that is being denied help during the pandemic because their governor was “mean” to the Republican Party’s president*. #VoteTrumpOut #VoteAllRepublicansOut #Nov3rd2020

(Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) Delivers the Weekly Democratic Address)

“As cases of coronavirus are skyrocketing, I, along with my Senate Democratic colleagues, are working to protect the health and safety of people across our nation.

“Families here in Michigan, and Americans all across the country, are struggling. They’re worried about their health and safety, worried about whether they’ll be able to make ends meet and worried about whether help is on the way.

“After working around the clock, and pressing for significantly more funding and federal resources for our heroic health care professionals on the front lines, we negotiated and passed the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act – also known as the CARES Act.

“Our work is far from done. We must ensure that the people who need help the most get it. The sweeping legislation we’ve passed is an important step as we navigate this crisis, but it’s not the last action we’ll need to take.

“We don’t know how long this pandemic will last, but you can count on us to be there every step of the way.

(CSPAN link to Weekly Democratic Address: here)

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Editors' Choice, Fighting Back

Fighting Back: “People need the facts. They need a plan. And they need it now.”

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The Weekly Democratic Party Address was delivered by Senator Patty Murray of Washington calling out the Trump “administration” for the delays in getting a plan in place to address the coronavirus crisis.

(“Democrats understand the urgency of this moment in no uncertain terms—and we are going to work to do everything we can, as fast as we can, to protect you, your loved ones, and all our communities,” said Senator Murray (D-WA). “We are in this together, and we will get through it together.”)

I have been incredibly frustrated and concerned by the Trump Administration’s missteps and slow response to this crisis so far.

“People need the facts. They need a plan. They need transparency. And they need it now.

“So I’m working to make sure we not only hold the Trump Administration accountable for the delays and missed opportunities so far, but that we also do everything in our power to immediately take the steps we need to do to start to finally get ahead of this crisis.[…]

Democrats understand the urgency of this moment in no uncertain terms—and we are going to work to do everything we can, as fast as we can, to protect you, your loved ones, and all our communities.

“We are in this together, and we will get through it together.

(CSPAN link to Weekly Democratic Address: here)

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Editors' Choice, Fighting Back

Fighting Back: “Democrats support science-based responses to public health threats.”

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The Weekly Democratic Party Address was delivered by Dr. Raul Ruiz, a Congressman from California, discussing the science-based actions Democrats have taken to address COVID-19.

(Congressman Raul Ruiz of California delivered the Weekly Democratic Address. In this week’s address, the Congressman discussed the strong, science-based actions House Democrats have taken to combat the coronavirus threat, including the bipartisan emergency response funding package which passed this week.)

“This week, House Democrats took early and decisive action to protect the health of the American people by passing the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act.

“This aid package allocates $8.3 billion to address the coronavirus outbreak, including: more than $3 billion for research and development of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics; $2.2 billion in public health funding for prevention, preparedness and response efforts; and nearly $1 billion in support of state and local health agencies, who are on the frontlines, working night and day to defend our nation’s health. […]

“House Democrats are continuing to work hard For The People every day, to protect you and your family’s health—and make sure communities across our nation have the resources they need to stay safe and healthy.

“We have your back.

(CSPAN link to Weekly Democratic Address: here)

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Editors' Choice, Fighting Back

Fighting Back: “Shame on Senate Republicans”

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The Weekly Democratic Party Address was delivered by Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut calling out Senate Republicans for refusing to bring to the floor the bipartisan background checks bill H.R.8 supported by 90% of Americans. Shame on Mitch McConnell and shame on cowardly Republicans for putting campaign donations over American lives.

(Following the one year anniversary of the House-passage of H.R.8., the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019, and a devastating mass shooting that claimed the lives of five people in Milwaukee, Senator Blumenthal (D-CT) delivers this week’s Weekly Democratic Address.)

“One year ago, the House of Representatives approved a bipartisan bill that boasts a ninety percent approval rate from the American people.

“The goal of H.R. 8 – the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 – is simple: to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people. The bill doesn’t impose any additional restrictions on gun ownership, it just ensures that if you shouldn’t have access to a firearm – if you’ve committed a felony, for example – you can’t skirt the law by buying a gun online or at a gun show. […]

“When I think about this issue, what I recall is what I heard from the Senate galleries after we failed to reach the required sixty-vote threshold to approve expanded background checks after the Sandy Hook shooting, when one of the Newtown parents shouted “Shame!”

“Shame is exactly what the Republican majority in the Senate should feel for its failure to act on background checks and other commonsense gun violence prevention measures.[…]

“I’ll be very blunt: my Republican colleagues can either stand with the American people on this issue or stand with the NRA. Opponents of gun violence prevention are on the wrong side of the issue, they’re on the wrong side of public opinion, and they’re on the wrong side of history.”

(CSPAN link to Weekly Democratic Address: here)

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Editors' Choice, Fighting Back

Fighting Back: “Our country’s budget is a reflection of who we are and what we care about.”

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The Weekly Democratic Party Address was delivered by Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan discussing the harmful Republican budget which targets seniors, children, college students and the poor.

(Following the release of the Trump administration’s harmful budget proposal, Senator Stabenow (D-MI) delivers this week’s Weekly Democratic Address.)

“Our country’s budget is a reflection of who we are and what we care about and who we care about. President Trump’s budget betrays American families and our seniors. Senate Democrats strongly oppose this budget. We understand that you and your family deserve a fair shot to work hard and get ahead. I want you to know that Democrats will continue putting the needs of hard-working families first.”

(CSPAN link to Weekly Democratic Address: here)

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