MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Danny K Davis (7th District of Illinois)

CHICAGO, IL — Today, Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL-07) issued the following statement reflecting on the first 100 days of President Donald J. Trump’s second term:

“As President Trump marks his 100th day in his second term, I reflect not only on what has transpired but on what is at stake for the American people. These first 100 days have been defined by a clear agenda to roll back hard-fought gains in healthcare, civil rights, social services, and economic protections for working families.

The administration’s attempt to privatize Social Security and raise the retirement age is a direct attack on seniors who have spent a lifetime paying into the system. Their efforts to weaken Medicaid and repeal key elements of the Affordable Care Act threaten millions of Americans—particularly in communities of color and rural America—who depend on access to affordable healthcare.

In education, we’ve seen proposals to slash funding for public schools while diverting resources to unregulated private institutions. Meanwhile, student debt relief programs are being dismantled, leaving our young people burdened and betrayed.

With regard to criminal justice, the White House’s abandonment of reentry programs, elimination of funding for Second Chance initiatives, and return to punitive incarceration policies represent a disturbing setback for restorative justice and rehabilitation efforts that are critical to reducing recidivism and creating opportunity.

The administration’s failure to adequately address climate change, gun violence, and economic inequality has exposed its priorities—and they do not lie with everyday Americans. Instead, tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy, deregulation of corporate interests, and divisive political rhetoric have taken center stage.

Yet, I remain hopeful because the American people are resilient. We are organizing, marching, voting, and demanding a future that honors equity, truth, and justice. As a senior Member of Congress and Co-Chair of the Congressional Reentry Caucus, I will continue to fight to protect our social safety net, expand access to opportunity, and resist any effort that undermines the dignity of our democracy.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

WASHINGTON, DC –  Today, Republican members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted down—on a party-line basis—an amendment offered by Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-12) to provide substantial funding for transit safety and security.

The vote came just weeks after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued letters threatening to withhold federal funding from agencies like the MTA and WMATA over alleged safety concerns. Nadler’s amendment would have provided dedicated capital grants—fully authorized under existing law—to upgrade safety infrastructure, expand staffing, and better protect both passengers and frontline transit workers.

“Secretary Duffy claims to care about safety. But when Republicans were given the chance to support real solutions, they turned their backs on the very transit agencies they’ve been scapegoating,” said Congressman Nadler. “It’s clear that their threats to withhold federal funds from the MTA aren’t truly about safety—they’re about undermining New York’s increasingly popular congestion pricing program.”

Public transit remains one of the safest ways to travel, with the National Safety Council reporting it is ten times safer than driving. In New York, felony crime on the subway is at a 30-year low, and assaults on transit workers have dropped more than 30 percent, thanks in part to federal investments in cameras, de-escalation training, and safety teams. This amendment would have built on these gains by providing substantial funding to expand proven safety interventions nationwide. The federal government can and should do far more to help improve transit safety by investing in the infrastructure, staffing, and technology that protect both riders and workers.

“Riders don’t need threats from Washington about cutting vital transit funding—they need real investment in safety, reliability, and respect for the communities who rely on public transportation every day,” Congressman Nadler continued. “That’s what this amendment offered. Instead, Republicans chose politics over public safety.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA), Chairman of the Ways & Means Subcommittee on Tax, and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) introduced The Promotion and Expansion of Private Employee Ownership Act of 2025, legislation to grow and promote employee ownership through private ESOPs (Employee Stock Ownership Plans), a proven way to create stable jobs, build retirement wealth, and promote business growth.

“By expanding Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), we can put more hardworking Americans on the path to financial prosperity and a secure retirement,” said Rep. Kelly. “This bipartisan, bicameral plan is a win-win for workers and businesses: it allows businesses to include employee ownership in the compensation package, and ESOPs often retain more employees as a result. This is great legislation for both the employer and employee alike!”

“Too many hardworking Americans are approaching retirement without financial security and peace of mind,” said Rep. Panetta. “By helping businesses become employee-owned through their retirement plans, this bipartisan bill would give workers a stake in their company and a stronger path to build savings. When employees have ownership, businesses do better, communities grow stronger, and our economy becomes more resilient.”

“Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) empower hardworking Americans to achieve financial prosperity and secure their retirement while helping their companies grow and thrive,” said Stephanie Silverman, President and CEO of the Employee-Owned S Corporations of America (ESCA). “With job stability and economic growth a top priority for all workers, creating additional employee ownership opportunities is one way Congress can help more Americans retire with confidence and weather economic uncertainty.” 

The Promotion and Expansion of Private Employee Ownership Act of 2025 would encourage S corporation business owners to form an ESOP, especially when looking to transition ownership.

BACKGROUND

Additionally, the bill would:

• Provide needed technical assistance for companies that may be interested in forming an ESOP;
• Ensure small businesses that become ESOP-owned retain their SBA certification;
• Create an Advocate for Employee Ownership at the U.S. Department of Labor.

At introduction, Representatives Kelly and Panetta were joined by six original cosponsors on the House Ways & Means Committee: Reps. Ron Estes (R-KS), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Carol Miller (R-WV), Danny Davis (D-IL), Blake Moore (R-UT) and Terri Sewell (D-AL).

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Riley Moore (WV-02)

Washington, D.C. – Earlier today, Congressman Riley M. Moore gave his first speech on the floor of the House of Representatives. In the speech, Rep. Moore condemned the persecution of Christians abroad and urged his colleagues to join him in calling out the brutal attacks taking place in several countries, including Nigeria, Syria, and Iraq.

Watch the full speech here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

Today, Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH-5) re-introduced the Researching Efficient Federal Improvements for Necessary Energy Refining (REFINER) Act, to help increase energy refining capacity in the United States.  

Over the last several years, North America lost an estimated one million barrels of fuel per day due to low refining capacity. The REFINER Act would address this crisis by collecting critical information, including identifying factors leading to low refining capacity, and presenting lawmakers with recommendations to expand refining capacity to ensure an abundance of affordable and reliable energy in the United States. 

“As energy demand continues to rise we must ensure our refining capacity can keep pace to ensure American energy dominance,” Latta said. “The REFINER Act will give us the necessary data and insights we need to make informed decisions that strengthen our energy infrastructure and keep fuel affordable for American families.” 

Background on the REFINER Act: 

The REFINER Act would require the National Petroleum Council to submit a report to the Secretary of Energy and Congress, detailing: 

• the role of petrochemical refineries in the U.S. and the contribution they make to the energy security of the United States, including the reliability of supply in the U.S. of liquid fuels and feedstocks, and the affordability of liquid fuels for consumers in the U.S.; 
• analyses and projections for the capacity of petrochemical refineries in the U.S., opportunities for expanding capacity, and current risks to the refineries; 
• an assessment of any Federal or State executive actions, regulations, or policies that have caused or contributed to a decline in refining capacity; and 
• any recommendations for Federal agencies and Congress to encourage an increase in refining capacity. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Perry (PA-10)

Washington D.C. – Today, Congressman Scott Perry (PA-10) announced the introduction of the “Eliminating the RFS and Its Destructive Outcomes Act,” a critical piece of legislation designed to eliminate the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and its significant harm upon American consumers, workers, and the environment.

“Eliminating the RFS is a vital step in preserving essential jobs and reducing inflationary pressures,” said Congressman Scott Perry. “By removing this mandate, we can curb the rising costs that are stretching household budgets to their limits.

While the RFS was intended to foster the use of environmentally friendly fuels, the environmental benefits of ethanol, particularly in replacing gasoline, are highly questionable. When evaluating the full environmental impact of increased corn production – including the water, land, and energy resources required – it’s clear that the RFS has produced net negative environmental consequences.”

The RFS originally was enacted with the noble goal of reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil and promoting environmentally friendly fuel alternatives; however, it failed on both fronts. Its unintended consequences have had detrimental impacts on our economy, energy independence, and environment.

One of the most pressing RFS issues is its devastating effect on the American People, particularly due to the negative effects on the domestic refining industry. RFS created regulatory burdens that undermine US refining capacity, and forced many refineries to scale back operations or close altogether – which, in turn, increases our reliance on foreign oil and fuels inflation, and further drives up the prices of food and fuel for American families.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — Tuesday afternoon, Speaker Johnson hosted a bipartisan Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony to honor the 6888^th Central Postal Directory Battalion, commonly known as the Six Triple Eight. The battalion was the first and only all-Black, all-female unit to serve overseas in Europe during World War II. The Six Triple Eight, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams Earley, was instrumental in clearing the U.S. Army’s backlog of over 17 million pieces of mail in only three months, twice as fast as projected.

The ceremony was held in Emancipation Hall in the U.S. Capitol and featured remarks from Speaker Johnson, Leader Thune, Leader Schumer, Leader Jeffries, Senator Moran, Senator Rosen, Representative Moore, former Representative LaTurner, and Colonel Edna Cummings. Stanley Earley III and Judith Earley, children of Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams Earley, accepted the medal on behalf of the 855 women who served in the Six Triple Eight.

Watch the Speaker’s remarks here

Read Speaker Johnson’s remarks below:

It’s a beautiful spring afternoon. We’re so happy to have you all, and I want to welcome my colleagues in Congress, of course, officials of the United States Army, distinguished guests. We’re so happy to have you at the United States Capitol today. We are honored to be joined by over 300 descendants and family members of the six triple eight.

What a testament this is to the enduring impact of these remarkable women that we honor today. This ceremony reflects one of the highest and most cherished traditions of our republic, one that’s roots stretch back all the way to General George Washington, Ulysses S Grant and the Wright brothers.

The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor this body can bestow. It’s reserved for those whose courage and service shaped our country and our nation’s story. It’s in this spirit that we gather to award this medal to the 6888, the Central Postal Directory. It’s 6888, but we call it the six triple eight.  

This battalion was the first and the only unit of African American women to serve overseas during World War II. As tens of thousands of Allied forces made their final push across Europe, the mail system was stretched thin from scarce resources. It was crippling under the weight of wartime logistics.

Then, just as today, letters of home were very, very important. They were lifelines that grounded the soldiers. They reminded our brave heroes of all they were fighting for, it was actually waiting back at home. Morale reports during the war underscore just how important mail was to the soldiers’ spirit, so much so that the phrase no mail, low morale became widespread. It was later adopted by the army as the official motto of the six triple eight yet for all the importance of mail, millions of undelivered letters piled up in dark warehouses across Europe, and those letters might well have stayed there, were it not for the work of the women that we celebrate today?

Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams Earley, the battalion – Parenthetically, I just want to note she sounds like a Marvel, hero, that name is so awesome. Charity Adams Earley. The battalion deployed to England and got to work on the on the backlog. They worked in three ships, around the clock, day in and day out, to sort through the literal mountains of mail that had accumulated, all while navigating troop movements that turned on a dime, incomplete addresses, illegible writing, and thousands of soldiers who shared the same names.

Listen to this. This is just one example. Okay, my name is Mike Johnson. Right, at this time, I know it’s sad. At this time, Michael was the ninth most popular name, and Johnson was one of the top five surnames. So, my staff did the math. They said, Sir, it’s pretty safe to assume that roughly 30,000 Mike Johnson’s served in World War II, and that’s enough to fill Fenway Park.

Now just imagine the challenge that these ladies have. They were trying to get the right letter to the right soldier, and that’s the kind of that’s the kind of challenge that they faced. With great ingenuity, they maintained a tracking system of 7 million ID cards to solve the issue of soldiers curing names. They didn’t have all the high-tech gadgets that we have today. They had to do it manually.

Processing roughly 65,000 pieces of mail per shift, they cleared the entire backlog in no less than three months.

Listen to this. By the war’s end, the Six Triple Eight had sorted over 17 million pieces of mail. They got the job done, even in the face of inadequate supplies and even in the face of discrimination, both for women within the Army and back home. These women were valiant members of our Greatest Generation, artists, academics, athletes, women who wanted went on to pursue higher education, to build families, to buy homes, and shape the very foundation of the American middle class.

We remember women like Margaret Sales, who enlisted on her 20th birthday. She enlisted on her 20th birthday, and she had dreams of pursuing music and teaching. We remember women like Romay Davis. She used the GI Bill to attend fashion school, and decades later, earned her black belt in her 70s. Tough ladies.

We also, of course, remember the incomparable Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams Earley who guided her unit. She faced all those challenges and she guided her unit with unshakable grace and resolve. And even after earning her degree in mathematics, Latin and physics, she returned to her studies after the war, and she said this famously, “After handling 855 women, any course in college would be a cinch.”

We’re blessed that two members of the Six Triple Eight are still with us today, watching from home. They are, and we want to salute them from here in the chamber. Fannie McClendon, who hails from my home state of Louisiana, all right. She went on to serve her country as a Major in the Air Force. We also have Anna Mae Robertson watching at home. Just last month, she celebrated her 101st birthday. Ms. Anna Mae, you got a big group here.

Okay, these women and the entire Six Triple Eight, are great American patriots, loyal to a nation that, for far too long, failed to return that favor. And I’m glad to say that that’s changing, and we’re doing that here today.

This remarkable story has rightly captured imaginations, it has now inspired books and movies, stirred the conscience of millions of Americans who are just now hearing and sharing this incredible story. Today here in the people’s house, we add to that story. So, thank you all for being here. We are honored to host you and to celebrate these exceptional women. God bless you.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

New GDP Data Proves that Trump is Tanking the Economy

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Randy Weber (14th District of Texas)

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Reps. Randy Weber (TX-14) and August Pfluger (TX-11) introduced the Police Officers Protecting Children Act to allow qualified law enforcement officers and retired law enforcement officers to carry a concealed firearm in a school zone. Senator Tim Sheehy (R- MT) introduced the companion bill in the U.S. Senate.

“In Southeast Texas, we know that evil people do evil things, and in 2018 the unimaginable happened at Santa Fe High School, leaving ten people dead,” said Rep. Weber. “There is absolutely no reason we should prevent trained professionals—our law enforcement heroes—from stepping up to protect our children. This bill is about empowering those who are ready and able to respond in a crisis.”

“Our children deserve to feel safe every time they step into a classroom,” said Rep. Pfluger. “The Police Officers Protecting Children Act would empower qualified law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms within school zones, ensuring they can act quickly to safeguard students during emergencies. As a father of three school-aged daughters, I send my girls to school each morning with the hope that they are protected and secure, and this legislation will help me and parents across the country have greater peace of mind. I am honored to partner with Congressman Weber and Senator Sheehy to reintroduce this commonsense legislation.”

Read the bill here.

The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives: Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02), Rep. Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Rep. Jim Baird (IN-04), and Andrew Clyde (GA-09).

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries delivered the following speech on what a disaster for the American people that Donald Trump’s first 100 days have been and how costs, chaos and corruption are all up, thanks to the President and his Rubber Stamp Republicans.

Good morning. Good morning. Thank you. Thank you, everyone. Good morning. Good morning. Thank you. Good morning. Good morning. Good morning.

Right at the top, let me make one thing clear: The Trump administration has been a disaster. 100 days in, Donald Trump and Elon Musk have failed to make your life more affordable. They failed to make you safer. They failed to make us more respected around the world. But their biggest failure is this: they have failed to appreciate the strength of the American people.

During the dawn of the Republic, it was once observed that when people fear the government, there is tyranny. When the government fears the people, there is liberty.

Donald Trump and Republicans thought they could shock and awe us into submission. They thought we would be too complacent to stand up for liberty and justice for all. They thought we would walk away from the principle of equal protection under the law. They thought wrong. They thought wrong. They thought wrong.

Trump’s unconstitutional assault on the American way of life is unprecedented, but the so-called dictator on day one is learning an important lesson. Americans don’t bend the knee to bullies. In the face of tyranny, we join together. In the face of tyranny, we rise up together. In the face of tyranny, we get into some good trouble together. And we’re just getting started.

100 days in, Donald Trump has the lowest approval rating of any president in modern American history. 100 days in, voters have elected Democrats in Republican-held districts all across the country, including in Iowa and Pennsylvania. 100 days in, Elon Musk spent $25 million to buy a state supreme court seat in Wisconsin, and lost by double digits. 100 days in, more than 200 different lawsuits have been filed against the unconstitutional and unlawful executive orders of Donald Trump, and the American people are winning in court. 100 days in, principled opposition to Republican extremism is taking shape from sea to shining sea. The American people are rising up and making it clear that the Trump administration has a lot to fear.

When my oldest son JJ was 9 years old, he played travel baseball with a group of his friends. Many of you know that travel sports can be taxing on the schedule. It’s a labor of love for our children. During the season, it seems like almost every weekend for several months, you’re on the road. And so, this one particular Memorial Day weekend, JJ had a baseball tournament in a little town off the beaten path somewhere in the Northeast. 

Travel sports can take you to some interesting places. I decided to make it a road trip and bring my youngest son, Joshua, with us. He was just 6 years old at the time. And so I said to him, he’s gonna come on this trip, and it’ll be like a vacation. What did I say that for, y’all? 

When I mentioned vacation, he had visions of Atlantis. So we pulled up to the motel where we were staying, and the situation was a bit shaky. My 6 year old looked at the motel, looked at me, looked at the motel and looked at me and said: “Dad, is this where we’re staying?” I said, “Yes, Joshua, why do you ask?” He responded, “Oh my God, Dad, this is a debacle.” 6 years old. I looked at him and asked, “What does the word debacle mean?” He responded quickly. He said: “I don’t know Dad, it’s something bad.”

This is the moment we are in right now in the United States of America, with Donald Trump and the Republicans in charge. 

Crashing the economy is something bad. Destroying Medicaid as we know it is something bad. Taking a chainsaw to Social Security is something bad. Raising costs on hardworking American taxpayers is something bad. Firing federal workers, including thousands of veterans who served this country, is something bad. Canceling medical research for children with cancer is something bad. Destroying the retirement accounts of everyday Americans is something bad. Trying to whitewash the most painful parts of our history is something bad. Targeting law-abiding immigrant families is something bad. Undermining the rule of law is something bad. 

The first 100 days of the Trump administration have been a debacle. Enough. Enough. America is better than this. 

When the new Congress began in January, Democrats were prepared to get to work in a bipartisan way. The Trump administration chose a different path. Far-right Republicans are tearing America apart, targeting our democratic way of life and tarnishing our reputation as the land of the free. It is wrong, and we will continue to push back aggressively. Donald Trump and the Republicans in Congress have given us 100 days of chaos, 100 days of cruelty and 100 days of corrupt behavior. That is not constructive leadership, it’s a recipe for disaster. 

The American people deserve common sense leadership, the American people deserve compassionate leadership, the American people deserve courageous leadership that changes things for the better. Our message to the American people is simple: We hear you. We see you. We feel you. Democrats are determined to make life better for you.

Donald Trump and his sycophants spent yesterday bragging about the speed with which they’ve moved during these first 100 days. They’re right.  Never has a president failed so spectacularly, so often, so quickly as Donald Trump. The White House referred to its strategy for the first 100 days as “shock and awe.” Well, they’re half right. It is shocking how rapidly this administration collapsed into chaos, cruelty and corruption. It is shocking how quickly MAGA Republicans turned their backs on working class Americans. It is shocking how spineless Republicans have been in the United States Congress. And it is shocking and tragic and infuriating how much damage Donald Trump and the Republican party’s policies have already done.

Here’s the thing. They expected us to step back. But the American people are here to fight back. On the campaign trail, Donald Trump promised to end inflation. He promised to lower costs on day one.  When he was asking for your vote, Donald Trump told you he would make life more affordable for everyday Americans. Now that he’s in office, it’s a different story.

In March, President Trump was asked if he was worried that car prices would go up because of his tariffs. His reply? “I couldn’t care less.” The cost of living in the United States is too high. America is too expensive. And Donald Trump couldn’t care less. He couldn’t care less that housing costs are too high. He couldn’t care less that grocery costs are too high. He couldn’t care less that childcare costs are too high. He couldn’t care less that health insurance costs are too high. He couldn’t care less that utility costs are too high. Donald Trump couldn’t care less. Prices everywhere are too high, and Donald Trump couldn’t care less. 

100 days in, Donald Trump is making life harder for you and your family. And every day his costly tariffs stay in place, life in America gets more expensive. American families will pay thousands of dollars more per year. Small businesses are shutting down. Corporations are not hiring. Businesses are unable to invest because of the uncertainty that has been created.  Inflation is on the rise, life is getting more expensive and the reckless economic policies of Donald Trump and House Republicans are driving us toward a recession.

Republicans in Congress could put a stop to this insanity at any time. Since they won’t, next November, we will. Yes, we will. Yes, we will. Which brings me to Elon Musk. I knew he would get that reaction. 

We all agree that government should be more efficient. But like most things in life, there’s the American way and then there’s the cruel way. 100 days in, it’s clear that DOGE is not the American way. Cancelling medical research for children with cancer is cruel. Denying relief for communities reeling from natural disasters is cruel. Firing thousands of our veterans, like Joseph Quintinella of Virginia, who served this country in the Marines, is cruel. 

But their cruelty doesn’t stop there. Republicans actually believe that Social Security is a Ponzi scheme. And they want to take a chainsaw to it. During the first 100 days of the Trump administration, Social Security has faced an unprecedented attack. Social Security offices have been closed, wait times have dramatically increased and people are being denied access to benefits that they have earned. Republicans continue to insist that Social Security is an entitlement program. They think they are entitled to destroy it. 

When I was 15 years old, I got my working papers and secured my first job. I was a messenger dropping off packages from office building to office building in Midtown Manhattan. My salary was $3.35 per hour. That was the minimum wage back in the day. And I thought that I had made it big, particularly upon learning that as a high school student who worked part time, I wouldn’t have to pay any income tax. So I couldn’t wait to get my first check. 

On a piece of paper, I multiplied $3.35 by the number of hours I expected to work during my first pay period. I figured out the total, and in my mind, that money was already spent. I couldn’t wait to go to Albee Square Mall in downtown Brooklyn and get some new sneakers so I could dress like Run DMC. But then the check came, and some money was missing. 

I had two questions, y’all: Who is FICA, and why is he taking my money? 

Here’s what I learned. All of us pay the FICA tax in connection with Social Security and Medicare. We pay the FICA tax on our first job. We pay the FICA tax on our last job. We pay the FICA tax on every single job we have throughout our lifetime. 

Social Security and Medicare are not entitlement programs. They are earned benefits. Earned benefits. You work hard for those benefits, pay into those benefits and deserve those benefits. They are earned benefits. 

Democrats will make sure that Donald Trump and House Republicans keep their hands off your Social Security and your Medicare. Hands off today. Hands off tomorrow. Hands off this week. Hands off next week. Hands off this month. Hands off next month. Hands off this year. Hands off next year. Hands off Social Security and Medicare Forever. Forever. Forever.

Now, if this administration actually had some common sense, it would look at the damage that it’s done, the rejection from the people, the historic unpopularity of this president, and they would change course. But Donald Trump is doubling down. And instead of being a check and balance on this president’s abuse of power, Republicans in Congress are nothing more than a rubber stamp for his extreme agenda.

Recently, I met a woman named Mary Beth. She lives in Canton, North Carolina, a town of 4,400 people that is still rebuilding from Hurricane Helene. She has custody of her four grandchildren, ages 10, 12, 15 and 16. Their parents can no longer care for them due to addiction, domestic violence and homelessness. The moment you talk to Mary Beth, you know that caring for those grandkids is everything. 

And she’s doing it on a fixed income, working part time making $8 an hour at a coin laundry— and is no longer employed—to supplement the disability support that she had received. Mary Beth has had to skip refilling her prescriptions to make sure her grandkids don’t have to skip any meals. 

Medicaid is the only reason her grandchildren are able to see a doctor, including the youngest, who is dealing with ADHD and autism. Mary Beth works hard, loves her family and is a patriotic American. And Mary Beth is here with us today. 

But her family, just like millions of others throughout America, is now at risk of losing their healthcare. Why? Republicans are trying to slash Medicaid by up to $880 billion, the largest healthcare cut in American history.  

And why are Republicans trying to rip healthcare away from working people, from Americans with disabilities, from children, from grandmothers like Mary Beth? So that they can give their billionaire donors like Elon Musk another tax cut. These healthcare cuts will hurt families, hurt women, hurt children, hurt veterans, hurt seniors and hurt disabled Americans. Hospitals will close, nursing homes will shut down and people will die. 

Here’s the thing, in the United States of America—this is the wealthiest country in the history of the world—healthcare is not a privilege, healthcare is a right for every single American. For every single American. 

If we were in the majority right now, none of this would be happening. But even in the minority, we are going to do everything we can to protect the healthcare of the American people.

And we’ll keep reminding our Republican colleagues—especially the ones who vote like extremists but then go home and pretend to be moderates when it’s time to run for re-election— that the people are watching. It’s time for Republicans in Congress to stop being a rubber stamp for Donald Trump’s extreme agenda.

You don’t work for Donald Trump. You don’t work for Elon Musk. You don’t work for the far-right extremists. You work for the American people.

As Democrats, we will fight as hard as we can, fight as hard as we can, over the next two years to stop bad things from happening. We will protect our system of free and fair elections.

And then work hard to convince the American people to entrust us with the majority next November. At that point, we will be able to do much, much more for you.

We will build an affordable economy that works for everyday Americans. We will confront the climate crisis with the fierce urgency of now. We will block any budget that goes after your Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid. And we will hold the Trump administration accountable for its corrupt abuse of power.

Over these next 100 days, House Democrats are going to lay out a blueprint for a better America. And you will see a vision for this country’s future that isn’t about Donald Trump. It’s all about you. All about you. How can we make your life better? How can we put more money in your pocket? How can we lower your costs? How can we help you give your kids the future they deserve? These are the questions we are thinking about each and every day.

Now, the American Dream isn’t about getting something for nothing. You have to work for it. But if you work hard and play by the rules, here’s what you should be able to have: A good-paying job. An affordable home. High-quality healthcare. Education for your children. And the ability to retire with grace and with dignity. That’s the American Dream. That’s the American Dream. That’s the American Dream. And when we’re back in charge, that’s what we will fight hard to deliver for you. 

In January—late January—I had the opportunity to visit the Altadena community in Los Angeles County that was devastated by the wildfires. I met someone named Jackie Jacobs, an amazing 88-year-old woman who was raised in the Jim Crow South before moving to California. Her home was tragically burned to the ground.  She and her husband, David, who have been married for more than 50 years, barely managed to escape the raging wildfires. All they had was the clothing on their backs. They lost everything else. Photos gone. Possessions gone. Property gone. But the first thing Mrs. Jacobs said to us while touring the devastation was that she gave all glory, all praise and all honor to Almighty God—just as the Scripture teaches us. She believed that things would work out. Several of us teared up. Mrs. Jacobs lost everything, but she never lost her faith. She never lost her faith.

Republicans have shown that their recipe for governing is chaos, cruelty and corruption. These first 100 days have not been easy. Everything we care about is under assault. The economy is under assault. Healthcare is under assault. Social Security is under assault. Veterans are under assault. Farmers are under assault. The right to organize is under assault. Public schools are under assault. The American way of life is under assault. Democracy itself is under assault. Everything we care about is under assault. 

But just like Mrs. Jacobs, we must never lose faith. We must never lose faith. Faith in our community. Faith in our country. Faith in a brighter future. Faith in Almighty God. 

America is a resilient nation. We are a resilient people. We have a resilient Constitution. We will never give up.  We will never give in. We will always show up. We will always speak up. We will always stand up. We will continue our march toward a more perfect union. We will not rest until we end this national nightmare and deliver an America with liberty and justice for all.

God bless you. God bless our troops. May God continue to bless the United States of America.

Full speech can be viewed here.

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