CHAIRMAN JEFFRIES: “HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE CONTINUING TO PUT PEOPLE OVER POLITICS”
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Vice Chair Pete Aguilar (D-CA) held a leadership press conference where they highlighted House Democrats’ continued fight for lower costs, better paying jobs and safer communities.
CHAIRMAN JEFFRIES: Good morning everyone. We had another good discussion this morning about the work that we have undertaken on behalf of the American people with a focus on continuing to put people over politics, lower costs, better paying jobs and safer communities. Under President Joe Biden's leadership, almost 10 million good-paying jobs have been created during less than two years in office. These are jobs that will allow the American people to be able to provide for their families, educate their children, hopefully purchase a home and ultimately retire with grace and with dignity.
Gas prices have continued to go down now for 14 consecutive weeks, and further help is on the way as a result of the Inflation Reduction Act.We're going to lower energy costs, lower health care costs, which we will achieve through strengthening the Affordable Care Act, and, of course, drive down the high price of life-saving prescription drugs for millions of Americans.
On the other side, extreme MAGA Republicans continue to put politics over people, power over people and refuse to put the American people above their own base political needs and that's unfortunate. They are extreme in every possible way, and we're going to continue to make sure that contrast is presented to the American people over the few weeks that we have remaining here in Washington, D.C. and when we return back home to our districts throughout the nation.
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VICE CHAIR AGUILAR: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It's that contrast again that is coming up as Republicans ratchet up their attacks on American democracy by refusing to say that they'll accept the results of free and fair upcoming elections. House Democrats are stepping up for the rule of law and our country.
This week, the House will pass the bipartisan Presidential Elections Reform Act. House Administration Chair Zoe Lofgren along with Representative Liz Cheney, two colleagues who are knowledgeable not just about protecting democracy but also about the Constitution and protecting this country, have been working together to craft these strong reforms to the Electoral Count Act that will help protect a peaceful transfer of power. This is more than a quick fix. This is about strengthening our democracy. To craft this legislation, they pull directly from testimony and evidence that was gathered during the Select Committee's work and the investigations and the reforms that will prevent another January 6.
But we should also be very clear. Donald Trump wanted to prevent a peaceful transfer of power. He was told that fake electors were illegal and unconstitutional and he went ahead and supported them anyway. Our democracy is only as strong, as steadfast as the people who are elected to govern. The contrast between House Democrats' commitment to our Constitution and the American people versus extreme MAGA Republicans' commitment to protecting their own political power has never been more evident. Let's hope that in this week we can pass these reforms and send a message to the American people that together we will work to ensure sure that our democracy is protected.
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Video of the full press conference and Q&A can be viewed here.
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