Archive: 2014

“Our founders risked their lives, their liberty and their sacred honor to create a democracy – a government of the many, not a government of the money. After misguided and destructive court decisions in McCutcheon and Citizens United, it is clear that Congress must act swiftly to restore fairness to our campaign finance system. It is time to pass the Government by the People Act, reassert the full promise of our ideals, and renew confidence in our democracy.”

For all of the Republicans’ talk about cutting the nation’s deficit, there was one major omission from the Ryan Republican Budget – immigration reform, which would reduce the deficit by $900 billion, according to CBO. Earlier in the Budget Committee, Congressman Tony… Continue

According to a new Citizens for Tax Justice analysis of the latest Ryan Budget, millionaires would reap huge benefits – getting an average tax cut of at least $200,000. As in previous years, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan has released a… Continue

“Democrats have a better approach: creating jobs, strengthening the middle class, investing in our infrastructure and our children’s education, closing the opportunity gap, and responsibly reducing the deficit. Together, we can reignite the American Dream and build an economy that works for everyone.”

“It’s just really, really so heartwarming for those of us who worked so hard so that many more people in our country would have access to affordable, quality health care. There are those who are critics, and there have been bumps in the road. But they have only been turbulence. They have not been an obstacle to the American people having a healthier life – what our Founders wanted for them: life, a healthier life; liberty; and the freedom to pursue their happiness, not job locked, but having benefits, health care policies, that are portable. They can be self-employed, be a photographer. They could start their own business or change jobs. They could reach their aspirations. And isn’t that a wonderful thing for a society and for an economy? Any questions?”

According to the Economic Policy Institute, the GOP-Ryan budget released this morning would have a devastating impact on American workers and the larger economy. From EPI: By Ignoring Economic Reality, Ryan Budget Would Slow Recovery, Cost Jobs …On net, I estimate that… Continue

Earlier today, GOP Budget Chairman and former Republican Vice Presidential Candidate Paul Ryan released the latest version of his radical budget – this time featuring even deeper cuts to our nation’s safety-net and doubling down on his plan to end Medicare as… Continue

“Over the course of his extraordinary life, Cesar Chavez shined a bright light on despair in California and elsewhere, declaring that, despite the challenges before us, ‘we shall endure.’ In that spirit, on this Cesar Chavez day, let us embrace the promise of hope. Let us act to close opportunity gaps and advance prosperity for all. Let us put the American Dream in reach for immigrants, workers, and middle class families across our nation. As a community and as a people, let us endure.”

To: Reps. Denham, Ros-Lehtinen, and Valadao CC: 27 Additional Republicans Supporting Immigration Reform and a Pathway to Citizenship Fr:  Democratic Leader’s Press Office Dt: March 28, 2014 Re: Time for House Republicans to Walk the Walk on Immigration Reform This week, House… Continue

“This is a really a silly decision to bring this to the floor in this form, when we know a path that is much better. But I’m not going to give you another reason to go out there and make your claims about the Affordable Care Act which have no basis in fact. With that, I urge my colleagues to pray over it, as I will. I yield back the balance of my time.”