Fighting Back: “Democrats will deliver on policies that will make life better for all of us”

 
 

The Weekly Democratic Party Address was delivered by Congresswoman-elect Katie Hill from California.

(In this week’s address, Congresswoman-elect Katie Hill discussed House Democrats’ plans for H.R. 1 of the 116th Congress, a bold reform package to restore the promise of our democracy – a government of, by and for the people.)

“As the majority and as Democrats, we know that before anything else can happen, we have to repair the trust between people and our government.

“With that as the priority, under the Democratic Majority, H.R. 1 of the 116th Congress will be a bill that focuses on giving power back to people, not corporations or special interests.

“For most of the incoming representatives-elect, we ran for office so we could come to Washington to make the communities we represent the priority, and stop playing politics with their lives.

“That means removing voting obstacles, so that every vote and every voice is heard. That means passing true ethics and accountability reform, so that public servants honor the public trust and Washington stops being run by insider influence and starts working for the people again. That also means finally ending the dominance of big money in our politics and limiting the stronghold of corporations and special interests.

“H.R.1 addresses some of our toughest battles. It will establish automatic voter registration, strengthen the Voting Rights Act and put an end to partisan gerrymandering. H.R.1 also works to limit undue influence of big money by mandating more transparency and disclosure of political donations, fighting back against Citizen’s United, and creating a new 21st-century campaign finance system that empowers ordinary Americans.

(CSPAN link to Weekly Democratic Address: here)

Transcript: Congresswoman-Elect Katie Hill Delivers Weekly Democratic Address

“Hello, my name is Katie Hill, the member-elect from California’s 25th Congressional District and I’m currently in D.C. for my second week of new member orientation.

“In addition to learning where things are and how to use the tunnels, we’ve done a lot of talking this week about where we go from here, now that we officially have a House majority. As the majority and as Democrats, we know that before anything else can happen, we have to repair the trust between people and our government.

“With that as the priority, under the Democratic Majority, H.R. 1 of the 116th Congress will be a bill that focuses on giving power back to people, not corporations or special interests.

“For most of the incoming representatives-elect, we ran for office so we could come to Washington to make the communities we represent the priority, and stop playing politics with their lives.

“That means removing voting obstacles, so that every vote and every voice is heard. That means passing true ethics and accountability reform, so that public servants honor the public trust and Washington stops being run by insider influence and starts working for the people again. That also means finally ending the dominance of big money in our politics and limiting the stronghold of corporations and special interests.

“H.R.1 addresses some of our toughest battles. It will establish automatic voter registration, strengthen the Voting Rights Act and put an end to partisan gerrymandering. H.R.1 also works to limit undue influence of big money by mandating more transparency and disclosure of political donations, fighting back against Citizen’s United, and creating a new 21st-century campaign finance system that empowers ordinary Americans.

“During this cycle, a record number of incoming freshmen refused Corporate PAC money – I was one of them. I did this because I wanted people to trust that at the end of the day, every decision I make and every vote I take is purely to benefit the people back home who gave me the opportunity to serve. That’s what government should be.

“When we get dark money out of politics, clean up corruption and ensure fair elections, we will earn the trust of the public so they know that we are working for them, not special interests or corporations.

“And with a system that works For The People, we will deliver policy outcomes that make life better for all of us: we will lower health care costs and out-of-control prices for prescription drugs. We will rebuild the United States’ infrastructure and put leverage back in the hands of workers and consumers. We will finally advance common-sense, bipartisan solutions to prevent gun violence. We will confront discrimination with the Equality Act , pass the Dream Act and take the first step toward comprehensive immigration reform.

“Now more than ever, this Caucus is committed to delivering for real people across this great country. We’re changing the game and we’re doing it by prioritizing legislation like H.R.1.

“I’m so excited to be a part of an incredible freshman class which is larger, younger and more diverse than ever before. Our class alone brought the median age of a Representative down by ten years and we have more women serving in the 116th Congress than in any previous session.

“These demographic shifts are not a coincidence – they are a call to action. We were elected to office because we aren’t insiders – we’re actually representative of the public we’re representing. People want change and they want it now. We don’t have time for party in-fighting and we owe our communities reform, so they can once again trust in their government to deliver for them when they need it most.

“I look forward to working together pass H.R.1, not just through the House, but to ensure our friends in the Senate know the stakes as well. Let’s get to work.

“Thank you.”

Any bolding has been added.

~

Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi’s weekly news conference from Thursday:

Transcript: Transcript of Pelosi Press Conference

Leader Pelosi. Still morning. Good morning, everyone. Thank you for being here.

It’s quite an honor to be here with so many Members of our freshman class, this historic class, by dint of size, experience, enthusiasm, just diversity and the rest. Thank you.

It’s been an exciting week. I’m just proud of saying three words ‑‑ majority, majority, majority. It has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?

The American people gave us a Thanksgiving of hope, and we must act upon that charge that they have given us. They’ve asked the Congress to be a check and balance on the other branches of government.

They, the public, are the ultimate check and balance. And we want to operate our Congress in a very open way, with transparency, of course, so they can see what is at hand here, that they can see our attempts at bipartisanship and that we are unifying in what we do.

One of the issues that emerged in the campaign that the new class of House Democrats has as a priority is the integrity of government, as part of our For The People agenda. For The People: lower health care costs, bigger paychecks, integrity in government.

For a while now, Congressman John Sarbanes of Maryland has been working on an initiative, H.R. 1, that was signed by so many of our candidates as the first order of business when we come here. The impact on that will be transformative to Congress when we reduce the role of money, amplify the voice of everyday Americans, so that they know that their voices matter.

Other attendees talked about their plans for the 116th Congress (see transcript)

~

Also on the agenda for the new Democratic Majority in the House: “Pelosi Statement on Immigration Priorities”

Washington, D.C. – Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi released this statement reaffirming the House Democratic Majority’s commitment to addressing critical immigration issues in the new Congress, following a letter from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus:

“America draws strength from our long, proud heritage as a nation of immigrants. In the Majority, Democrats will work to reverse the Republicans’ destructive anti-immigrant agenda.

“Our House Democratic Majority will once again pass the Dream Act to end the uncertainty and fear inflicted on patriotic young men and women across the country. We will protect TPS recipients and those fleeing unimaginable violence. And we will hold the Trump Administration accountable for their inhuman policy of separating families, and the trauma and anguish they have inflicted on vulnerable children and families at our border.

“Of course, we will meet our responsibility to provide strong, smart border security that serves our country’s needs, is consistent with our values, and doesn’t squander billions of dollars on a border wall.

“Democrats know that immigrants, with their courage, optimism and determination to make the future better for their families, make America more American. We will continue to work every day to ensure the American Dream remains in reach for everyone.”

… and protecting our veterans: “Pelosi Statement on the Trump Administration’s GI Bill Payment Failures”

Washington, D.C. – Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement after reports that the Department of Veterans Affairs would not repay underpaid GI Bill benefits to thousands of veterans, after months of delayed payments, repeated IT issues, missed implementation deadlines and widespread department dysfunction:

“VA has a solemn duty to ensure veterans receive the full benefits that they have earned and deserve. VA’s complete failure to uphold this responsibility or provide adequate solutions showcases the Trump Administration’s string of broken promises to students, veterans and their loved ones.

“Ten years ago, Democrats restored the promise of a full, four-year college education for nearly 2 million Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families. Last year, Congress overwhelmingly expanded the GI Bill: improving benefits, closing eligibility gaps and increasing opportunities for Reservists, Guardsmen, Purple Heart recipients, surviving spouses and dependents. Yet today, a few weeks after Veterans Day, the gross negligence and shameful lack of accountability and oversight at VA continue to undermine these critical accomplishments and betray our promise to our nation’s veterans.

“At every opportunity, the Trump Administration has undermined and undercut the vital mission of VA. The Democratic Majority will hold the Administration’s feet to the fire to ensure they retroactively and fully pay benefits to every wronged student. Democrats are ready to take action to honor our veterans, whether it’s addressing VA’s looming budget crisis, expanding access for women veterans or continuing rigorous oversight to safeguard the four walls of VA. Today and every day, we reaffirm our sacred pledge: just as the military leaves no one behind on the battlefield, we will leave no veteran behind when they return home.”

~

On Wednesday, November 28th, Nancy Pelosi sent this letter to her colleagues asking for their votes for Speaker of the House. She won overwhelming support from her caucus and her nomination will be voted on when the 116th Congress convenes in January.

Dear Democratic Colleague and Members-elect,

In every new Congress, when the Freshmen arrive, the Members stand in awe and say, “Here come the fresh recruits. Who among them will lead in this body? Who among them will seek higher office? Who among them will be President of the United States?”

Our responsibility is to ensure that the Freshman Class has every opportunity to succeed. This class of 2018 is an historic one by dint of its experience, its diversity and its commitment to deliver progress in the lives of hard-working Americans. Their impact will and must be transformative for the Congress and the Country.

It is my hope that as we deliver on our For The People agenda – lower health costs, higher wages by rebuilding America and restoring integrity in government – we do so in a way that will address economic disparity in this Country. This Freshman Class has also made integrity in government its priority, supporting H.R. 1, in our Better Deal for Our Democracy. As Justice Brandeis said, “We may have democracy, or we may have wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can’t have both.”

The American people voted for a check and balance on President Trump by sending a Democratic Majority to Washington. In order for us to honor that charge and engage the public, I suggest that our sessions on the House Floor be deemed America’s Town Hall meetings. As President Lincoln said, “public sentiment is everything.” The more open the Congress, the more the public will be engaged in our proceedings, and the better we can govern.

I am grateful to so many Members of the 116th Congress for their support and ideas. We all agree that history is in a hurry, and we need to accelerate the pace of change in Congress. We have been blessed with a Democratic Caucus now enhanced by an historic Freshman Class. My responsibility is to recognize the myriad of talent and tools at our disposal to take us in to the future by showcasing the idealism, intellect and imagination of our Caucus.

The public has entrusted us to save our democracy. It is our patriotic duty to deliver a more open, responsive, bipartisan and unifying government For The People.

I respectfully ask for your vote for Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Thank you for your leadership and friendship.

~