November 13, 2024

Chairman Aguilar: House Democrats will extend a hand of bipartisanship whenever possible to make life better for everyday Americans

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar and Vice Chair Ted Lieu held a press conference on House Democrats’ commitment to find common ground and solve problems for working families. 

CHAIRMAN AGUILAR: Good morning. Good to be back joined by the Vice Chair. 

House Democrats met our new members today, a diverse and passionate group of leaders who will be an integral part of our efforts over the next two years. House Democrats are ready to work with the incoming administration and will extend a hand of bipartisanship whenever possible to make life better for everyday Americans.

We want to create jobs, lower the cost of groceries and everyday necessities like child care and protect against a national abortion ban, and we'll be ready to push against efforts to throw millions of Americans off their health care or to eliminate retirement benefits that they've spent a lifetime earning. 

Recalibrating and re-energizing our party in the coming weeks is the most important thing we can do as elected leaders because that's how we best serve the people that we fight for. We're going to need to articulate a positive vision for the future where everyone has a shot and a better life, and where elected leaders keep their promises. I look forward to being a part of that solution as we move forward, alongside Leader Jeffries, Whip Clark and Vice Chair Lieu. We're clear-eyed about the challenge ahead of us, but I'm confident that we're going to be successful because of the talent that we have and the resourcefulness of the members in that Caucus. 

VICE CHAIR LIEU: Thank you, Chair Aguilar. 

I want to welcome all the incoming freshmen to the Democratic Caucus. We had a great Caucus meeting where we were able to meet our freshmen, and it's just so exciting with their energy and enthusiasm and insights they're going to bring to the Caucus. I also wanted to thank Matt Cartwright, Susan Wild and Yadira Caraveo for their amazing service to the U.S. Congress. 

I think it's appropriate for the Democratic Caucus to reflect on what happened, to listen to our constituents, to listen to the American people, to listen to our members, to gather data and then chart a path forward. With that, I look forward to answering any questions you may have.

Video of the full press conference and Q&A can be viewed here.

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