CHAIRMAN JEFFRIES ON CNN: "HOUSE DEMOCRATS WILL PASS THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT"

BLITZER: Tonight, Democrats are touting a better than expected new report showing inflation here in the United States slowed in July. I want to bring in Democratic Congressman Hakeem Jeffries of New York. He's a key member of the Judiciary Committee. He also serves as the Democratic Caucus Chair. Congressman, thanks so much for joining us. As you know, Democrats are touting economic wins right now, but many Americans, and you can testify to this, are still feeling the effects of inflation here in the U.S.. What's your message to the American people who remain frustrated with the state of the economy right now?

 

CHAIRMAN JEFFRIES: Well, the Biden economy is strong and it continues to move in the right direction. Job creation is up, gas prices are down and there's evidence that inflationary pressures are easing. Of course, there's more that needs to be done, which is why House Democrats will pass the Inflation Reduction Act tomorrow, which is going to take decisive action with respect to climate change to save our planet, bring down energy costs, lower the high price of life-saving prescription drugs and also make health care more accessible and affordable by strengthening the Affordable Care Act.

 

BLITZER: So how essential is it, Congressman, for Democrats to capitalize on this legislative momentum right now, including passage – we expect tomorrow – of this Inflation Reduction Act, as it's called, if they want to keep control of the House and the Senate come the midterm elections in November.

 

CHAIRMAN JEFFRIES: Our focus right now is singular, to make life better for everyday Americans. Put people over politics, lower costs, better paying jobs, safer communities and so we're going to continue to do the work that's necessary to address these issues. And we'll take a substantial step in the right direction tomorrow with passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. And then, of course, we'll continue to monitor the situation. But we've passed significant bills over the last several months related to gun safety measures for the first time in 30 years and, of course, bringing back domestic manufacturing to the United States of America, building upon the progress that we had previously made with respect to the American Rescue Plan and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

 

BLITZER: While I have you, Congressman, I want to get your reaction to the Justice Department's request to unseal the warrant used to search the former president's home at Mar-A-Lago down in Florida. Many of your Republican colleagues have joined the former president in voicing their outrage over the FBI search. Does the Attorney General's action today, from your perspective, make it harder to criticize that move?

 

CHAIRMAN JEFFRIES: Certainly, the Attorney General is a man of integrity and I expect that the Department of Justice will continue to follow the facts, apply the law, be guided by the Constitution and let the chips fall where they may. Here in America, no one is above the law, not a President of the United States or anyone else. And so the Department of Justice has a job to do. We've got no visibility into that, but I think making the request to be as open and transparent with the American people about what happened and why it happened is a really good step in the right direction. 

 

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Watch the full interview here.