Fighting Back: “Democrats are working for ALL the people.”

September 21, 2019 JanF Editors' Choice, Fighting Back 2

 
 

The Weekly Democratic Party Address delivered by Representative Joaquin Castro of Texas discussed the work House Democrats are doing #ForThePeople to counter the discriminatory and harmful policies of Republicans.

(Congressman Joaquin Castro discussed the celebration of Hispanic Heritage month and the work House Democrats are doing For The People to counter the discriminatory and harmful policies of the Trump Administration.)

[The Latino community has] been a target – a target of a president’s prejudice, the target of smears and scolding when we speak Spanish in public. And sadly, the target of a mad man in Texas, who killed 22 in El Paso. […]

The Trump Administration has violated human rights and caused suffering of thousands at our Southern Border – tearing apart families, caging children, turning away asylum seekers who came here fleeing the most unimaginable circumstances.

This is personal to me – my own grandmother came here as an immigrant, a seven year old orphan who came to Texas from Mexico. She worked as a housekeeper, maid, a babysitter, and raised my mother, Rosie, who in turn became a community organizer in Texas.[…]

As we face adversity, we are not without hope. Nothing can diminish the deep, enduring perseverance that defines us as Latinos.

I know that our Hispanic communities are a strong and proud part of this country, and I will stand with you and fight for you.

(CSPAN link to Weekly Democratic Address: here)

Transcript: Congressman Joaquin Castro Delivers Weekly Democratic Address

“Hello, I’m Joaquin Castro, Congressman from Texas and Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus this term.

“We have much to celebrate and reflect upon this Hispanic Heritage Month. Latinos are a part of the soul of this country – from the strength and diversity of our communities, to the history, culture and contributions of Latinos.

“We are the laborers in the fields, growing the food that feeds America.

“We are the soldiers who answered the call to serve in Vietnam and the Gulf Wars and never came home.

“We are the marchers who took to the streets and demanded the rights and dignities of workers.

“We are the educators that instill in young children the values of dignity, respect, and hard work that have defined our own communities for generations.

“We are the entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders that make our communities prosperous and our businesses competitive.

“Every day, I see the role that Latinos play in building our country.

“Latinos come from all walks of life and different backgrounds. We come from Texas, California, Florida and Puerto Rico, the rural communities in Iowa, Minnesota, Georgia, South Carolina, and across this country.

“Some are immigrants and proud of their heritage, but no matter our diverse backgrounds, we are all proud to be a part of the American family.

“But the Latino community, in the last few years, has been something else.

“We have been a target – a target of a president’s prejudice, the target of smears and scolding when we speak Spanish in public. And sadly, the target of a mad man in Texas, who killed 22 in El Paso.

“Historically, scapegoating is dangerous. During the Great Depression, over a million Mexican Americans, many of whom were already US citizens, were deported because people blamed them for taking jobs during tough economic times.

“As echoes of that era resound today, I implore all of us as Americans to not repeat the mistakes of the past.

“Mr. President: No one has to choose between the country and Hispanics.

“Hispanics are the country, just like every other American, no matter where their family came from.

“That is why I am deeply concerned about this Administration’s discriminatory policies – which have threatened the legal status of 800,000 Dreamers and hundreds of thousands of TPS recipients who know the United States as home.

“The Trump Administration has violated human rights and caused suffering of thousands at our Southern Border – tearing apart families, caging children, turning away asylum seekers who came here fleeing the most unimaginable circumstances.

“This is personal to me – my own grandmother came here as an immigrant, a seven year old orphan who came to Texas from Mexico. She worked as a housekeeper, maid, a babysitter, and raised my mother, Rosie, who in turn became a community organizer in Texas.

“As we face adversity, we are not without hope. Nothing can diminish the deep, enduring perseverance that defines us as Latinos.

“I know that our Hispanic communities are a strong and proud part of this country, and I will stand with you and fight for you.

“In Congress, we are hard at work For The People on so many issues that impact all Americans every day, from prescription drug prices to ensuring that all are counted in the 2020 Census.

“Thank you, and I hope you, your family, and all in our community have a wonderful Hispanic Heritage Month.”

Any bolding has been added.

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Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi did not hold her Thursday news conference this past week. There was, however, a news conference about the introduction of H.R. 3, a bill to lower prescription drug prices.

Transcript of the Speaker’s remarks: Pelosi Remarks at Press Conference on Introduction of H.R. 3, The Lower Drug Costs Now Act. Excerpts:

As we know, for years, seniors and families across America have struggled under the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs. Drugs they need to stay healthy, but also the cost of drugs threatening their financial health and well‑being as well.

I’ve always said in our meetings that when you travel the country, the issue of the cost of prescription drugs is one subject that can make grown men cry, just cry about not being able to deal with those costs, what it means, again, to the health and well‑being of their families because of cost.

The burden of out‑of‑control prescription costs is an issue that touches every family in America. That was self‑evident in the election of 2018. It’s still a big issue as we go forward. We don’t want a political issue at the polls. We want a solution in the Congress, and we want it now. […]
People say, ‘How come health care and that issue were so much a part of the 2018 discussion?’ Well, this is because it’s what matters to the American people.

And we had 10,000 events. There were – I shouldn’t say we had – there were 10,000 events across the country of people telling their stories about what the cost of prescription drugs was doing to their health and their financial health, but also protecting the benefit, the pre-existing condition benefit, which is legislation we have already sent over to Mitch McConnell.

So, here we are, with this legislation. And, just to review, it ends the ban – imagine that there’s a ban for the Secretary to negotiate for lower drug prices for Medicare. But, as has been indicated by our distinguished Chairmen and Members of the Leadership, that will apply to all. Makes lower drug prices negotiated by Medicare available to all Americans.

It stops drug companies from ripping off Americans while charging other countries less for the drug.

Press questioning followed (see transcript)

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Our party supports climate crisis action.

Pelosi Statement on Global Climate Strikes

September 20, 2019
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued this statement in support of the climate strikes occurring around the globe:

“The voices of millions of young people are filling the streets in communities across the globe, demanding that our governments and industries work together to take decisive action to safeguard our environment and ensure a healthy, sustainable world for our children. I am especially grateful that this global movement puts indigenous rights at the forefront. I applaud and thank the bold, dissatisfied leadership of these marchers to protect our planet and our future.

“The climate crisis is the existential threat of our time, impacting every community and every nation on earth. Tackling this crisis is about protecting public health, advancing a green, forward-looking economy, defending our national security and honoring our responsibility to be good stewards of God’s creation. In my home of San Francisco, and cities and towns across America and around the world, the energy of the advocates and activists are demonstrating the power of our young people to effect lasting, transformative change to save the people and places we love.

“House Democrats stand with you in this urgent fight. Congress will build on our passage of the Climate Action Now Act, which demands action from the Trump Administration, and continue to advance innovative solutions that create jobs and protect our families.

“Climate Action Now!”

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2 Comments

  1. House Democrats are continuing their impeachment investigation and will make sure that any illegal actions of Donald Trump and his administration are properly investigated and that appropriate actions are taken. Investigate, Present Evidence to the American People, Vote on Impeachment, Send Articles of Impeachment to the Senate. Every step is important and none can be skipped. The latest lawbreaking by this administration: Pelosi Statement on Whistleblower Complaint

    September 20, 2019
    Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued this statement after reports of a whistleblower complaint filed by a member of the Intelligence Community, which is being withheld from Congress in violation of federal law:

    “Reports of a reliable whistleblower complaint regarding the President’s communications with a foreign leader raise grave, urgent concerns for our national security. We must be sure that the President and his Administration are conducting our national security and foreign policy in the best interest of the American people, not the President’s personal interest.

    “The Director of National Intelligence Inspector General, who was appointed by President Trump, has said that the complaint is both of ‘urgent concern and credible,’ and its disclosure ‘relates to one of the most significant and important of the Director of National Intelligence’s responsibilities to the American people.’

    “The Administration’s blocking of Acting DNI Joseph Maguire from providing Congress with the whistleblower complaint violates the federal statute, which unequivocally states that the DNI ‘shall’ provide Congress this information. If the President has done what has been alleged, then he is stepping into a dangerous minefield with serious repercussions for his Administration and our democracy. The President and Acting DNI’s stonewalling must end immediately, and the whistleblower must be provided with every protection guaranteed by the law to defend the integrity of our government and ensure accountability and trust.

    “Chairman Adam Schiff and the Intelligence Committee are to be commended for their strong leadership to ensure Congress is provided all the information so that we can fulfill our responsibility to protect the American people and our national security. We will continue to follow the facts and explore every possible option to ensure the American people get the truth. We would hope that Republicans would join us in supporting the Constitution.”

  2. I wish the very intelligent people I follow would go back to thinking and analyzing and quit reacting to the rabid squirrel the John Birchers threw into the room. If you’re surrounded and under siege – as we are in the Dem House – why the hell would we open the gates just to get at a nasty, noisy, clown on the hill? That’s stupider than hauling in a “Trojan horse” when things seem all clear. But they don’t see it that way. They keep looking at it from the POV of an “orderly” society. They’re gonna be boasting that “at least we held him accountable” in our secret hiding places after the complete fascist takeover of our country if they manage to get their way. sigh. At any rate, Nancy Pelosi isn’t going to bring impeachment to the floor until she has enough votes to pass it. Just like she does with all the rest of the legislation she’s gotten through. People who think otherwise haven’t been paying attention. double sigh.

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