LEADER JEFFRIES: "WHAT REPUBLICANS HAVE UNLEASHED IS UNPRECEDENTED, UNCONSCIONABLE AND UN-AMERICAN."
Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke at a press conference with members of the New York Congressional Delegation at City Hall, where he emphasized that House Democrats will continue working to protect the healthcare of the American people and end the Republican-caused, reckless government shutdown.
LEADER JEFFRIES: Good morning, everyone. It's an honor and a privilege to be here. I'm certainly so thankful for the friendship and the leadership and the partnership of Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, who has brought us together here today. Of course, it's an honor and a privilege to stand with the mighty New York City Congressional delegation—Congressman Greg Meeks, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Congresswoman Grace Meng. Tremendous leaders in the Congress, of course, led by Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, joined, of course, by both Ken Raske, representing the great hospitals of New York City, as well as SEIU 1199, our great healthcare heroes.
This is an all-hands-on-deck effort in defense of the healthcare of the people of New York City and everyday Americans all across the country. House Democrats have made clear we will sit down with anyone, at any time, at any place, in order to try to find a bipartisan path forward to reopen the government, to enact a spending agreement that meets the needs of the American people and to address the Republican healthcare crisis. Here's what we will not do. We will not support a partisan Republican spending bill that continues to gut the healthcare of the American people.
What Republicans have unleashed in terms of this healthcare crisis that they have created is unprecedented, unconscionable and un-American. The largest cut to Medicaid in American history. Hospitals, nursing homes and community-based health centers closing all across the country and at risk of continuing to shut down because of what Republicans have already done in their One Big Ugly Bill. Republicans have refused to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, and as a result of that, tens of millions of people, including many right here in New York City, are about to experience dramatically increased premiums, co-pays and deductibles that will put them on the verge of medical bankruptcy and deprive them of the ability to get the coverage that they need for themselves, their children and their families. This is an unprecedented Republican healthcare crisis, and it must be addressed with the fierce urgency of now. That's why House Democrats and Senate Democrats are standing up for the healthcare of everyday New Yorkers, of working-class folks, of the middle class and of hardworking American taxpayers. And we're not going to bend. We're not going to break. We're going to do what's necessary to deliver a spending agreement that actually meets the needs of the American people, as opposed to hurting the American people.
And Mike Johnson and House Republicans need to get back into town. Do your jobs. Democrats will be present. Democrats are ready to get the job done, to reopen the government, to pass an enlightened spending agreement and to address the Republican healthcare crisis. We're on duty. It's a shame that House Republicans remain on vacation.
Full press conference can be watched here.
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