January 04, 2021

CHAIRMAN JEFFRIES: “A TOP PRIOITY, AS DEMOCRATS, WILL CONTINUE TO BE TO CRUSH THE VIRUS”

WASHINGTON – Today, House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Vice Chair Pete Aguilar (D-CA) held a leadership press conference, where they outlined House Democrats’ top priorities for the 117th Congress.

CHAIRMAN JEFFRIES: We had our inaugural House Democratic Caucus meeting for the 117th Congress. We're excited and looking forward to getting to work with President-Elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, his partner in the White House, to Build Back Better For The People and to make life better for everyday Americans as we deal with this deadly pandemic, which is both a public health crisis and an economic crisis. A top priority, as Democrats, will continue to be to crush the virus, provide direct relief to everyday Americans who are struggling and to supercharge our economy so we can create prosperity in every single zip code.

While we're excited about the opportunities to get to work For The People in the next few weeks, our hearts are also broken because of the painful tragedy that has been experienced by our dear colleague, Jamie Raskin, his wife Sarah and their family connected to the passing of their beloved Tommy. And we continue to stand with Jamie. He's in our thoughts and our prayers and our support to him. We will be there for him and with him every step of the way.

We're preparing, of course, for Wednesday's proceeding. Let me simply say before I yield to our Vice Chair in that regard, that Joe Biden won the election in clear and convincing fashion. More than 80 million Americans voted for Joe Biden. That's more than any other presidential candidate in American history. Joe Biden won blue states. Joe Biden won swing states. Joe Biden won red states in places like Georgia and Arizona. That's what the facts suggest. That's what the courts have agreed took place. That's what the voters decided.

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VICE CHAIR AGUILAR: As the Chairman said, this new Congress represents a new opportunity, a new opportunity for the American public, a new opportunity for us to reflect their priorities. This Congress and our Democratic Caucus is focused entirely on making sure our communities Build Back Better. And as the Chairman said, the first plank of that is COVID response and relief, ensuring that the funds that we pass get into every corner of our communities and to make sure that critical priorities that we left behind, like state and local government, are addressed in the future. We look forward to welcoming our new colleagues as well. And as the Chairman said, our hearts continue to go out to the entire Raskin family as they deal with this unspeakable loss.

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