DPCC Chair Cicilline: Democrats’ Agenda Reflects Our Commitment to the American People, Not to the Powerful Special Interests
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman David Cicilline, Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), appeared on The Story With Martha Macallum on FOX News to discuss the federal government shutdown created by the President and the new Democratic majority. Now in control of the House of Representatives, Democrats are going to continue to fight for the people by lowering health care costs, increasing pay, and cleaning up corruption in Washington. Below are excerpts from the interview. Click here to watch the video
"Democrats ran on the agenda that reflects our commitment to the people of this country and not to the powerful special interest. We specifically ran on 3 priorities. One, driving down health care costs, particularly the cost of prescription drugs, protecting coverage for pre-existing conditions, and driving down the cost of health care broadly. Second issue is helping to raise family incomes – families who are working 3 jobs to just get by. We're going to do that by investing in a serious way in rebuilding America – our roads, our bridges, our schools, our ports, our transit systems, with a bold infrastructure plan that will create 16 million good paying jobs and rebuild the country. And thirdly, that we are going to take on in a serious way the pervasive corruption in Washington, the self-dealing we have seen in Washington. That's the first bill we will introduce, H.R. 1."
"Yes, I do disagree with that. I don't think there is evidence to support the notion that immigration is resulting in a downward movement on wages. I mean there are a lot of other reasons. Our tax policies, our regulatory policies, there are a number of labor policies that contribute to lower wages. I think we are very focused on how we increase family incomes. But let me be very clear, Democrats support securing our borders. We just think it should be done in a wise and thoughtful way using the best technology, the best advancements in technology so that it's effective."
"I don't think it's a difficult path. I think the President wants a fight and he wants the government shutdown. He's made that very clear. What we're proposing tonight is fund the 6 Departments – there's no dispute about that. There's a bipartisan bill that was passed unanimously in the Senate. We proposing the same thing. Let's get that part of the government funded through the end of the fiscal year. The place where there is disagreement – the Department of Homeland Security- let's do a short term continuing resolution. "
"Let's be clear about one thing. We've appropriated $1.7 billion over the last two years for border security. Democrats voted for that. We understand that we have to invest more in border security. We just want do in a cost effective, smart, thoughtful way that will actually achieve the objective. There will be additional money for border security in the bill that we're going to pass. But we don't think spending 70 billion dollars on a 1,000 mile concrete wall – which is a 19th century solution for a 21st century problem."
"Up until today the Republicans were in control of the House, the Senate and the White House. If they thought a concrete wall was such a great idea, they would have done it 2 years ago."
"The reality is we all support border security. We've appropriated money for border security. We want to it to be done in a way that actually achieves the objective: more personnel, cargo inspections, satellites, drones. Let's use technology to secure our borders in a smart way.'"