DPCC Co-Chair Bustos: Democrats Will Work to Solve Our Nation’s Problems
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), appeared on Meet the PressDaily with Chuck Todd on MSNBC to discuss how Democrats remained relentlessly focused on the top issues concerning the American people leading up to the midterm elections and how Democrats are ready to rise the challenge of governing the majority in the House of Representatives. Below is a transcript from the interview. Click here to watch the video.
"Well, the reality is, is that right now we hold no levers of power in Washington, D.C. That all changes on January 3rd, obviously, when the new U.S. House of Representatives is sworn in. But, you know, this is all a part of the court of public opinion. Donald Trump is going to do what Donald Trump is going to do. And, we saw that today. But, let's look at, have a little historic historical perspective here. This is the second time in American history where a U.S. President tried to fire his way out of a terrible situation, and if we'll go back a few years, it didn't end up in a very good place for Richard Nixon. Donald Trump is going to do what Donald Trump is going to do. But, we are literally a matter of weeks away before Democrats will be in control of the House and we'll have a lot to say about this."
"Well, and I've talked with you about this before, Chuck. I walk the grocery store aisles. I do the supermarket Saturday just asking people, what's on your mind? What do you want me to know before I head back out to Washington. And, typically it's not the Mueller probe that comes up. It was time after time after time. It was health care, the price of prescription drugs. The things that people talk about and worry about as they lay their heads on their pillows at night. So, we just have to -- the truth should be our guide. Whatever the polls show about if people are in favor of the Mueller investigation, if they're against the Mueller investigation, the truth should be our guiding star and in the end the truth does come out. And, I'm confident of that."
"Well, Jerry Nadler will be the incoming chair of the Judiciary Committee. Adam Schiff will lead the Intelligence Committee. Elijah Cummings will head the Oversight Committee. They are all very honorable, smart men. And, I am confident what whatever they do, it will be the right thing."
"Well, I think we stayed relentlessly focused on what people care about at home. Again, back to what I heard from people in the 17th congressional district of Illinois."
"Health care. Well, it's health care. Alongside it is the price of prescription drugs are out of control. We need to make sure that drug companies, if they want to raise their prices 10, 15, 100 times what they are today and increase it that so much higher tomorrow, then they need to show why they're doing that. Did they pay in their research or are they just trying to hijack the American public? So, it's health care. And, then number two, we are going to rebuild this country again. At least, we will do our part. We'll pass a trillion dollar transportation infrastructure package to rebuild our roads, our bridges, our locks and dams. We'll take rural broadband out to the 23 million Americans who don't have access to it. And, then the third part of that, Chuck, the mandate is that we clean up the mess. Right out back behind me is that beautiful view and as beautiful as it looks down below, it's pretty seedy. We've got way too much self-dealing that's going on. We have Donald Trump that raked in $40 million when he was president because we have foreign dignitaries and lobbyists staying at his hotel. That kind of stuff we need to put an end to. And, we are ready and we'll rise to the challenge."
"Well, I don't think there is anything wrong with a divided government, but the American public calls for that divided government, meaning the Republican controlled Senate and Democratic now controlled House, come January 3rd that we work together and solve our nation's problems. That's what people want us to do. And, I think there is a misperception if anybody says that Democrats don't want secure and safe borders. Look, there is nothing that's more important to Democrats, Republicans, Americans, than to keep our families safe. And, so do we want a safe and secure border? Of course, we do. Donald Trump made that promise that it was going to be Mexico paying for that wall. And, all of a sudden, he's ready to hand us a $25 billion bill to build a wall. Where let's just make sure that our border is secure. And, we can do that in many ways beside build a wall. That just, that's now just become a symbol for what Donald Trump wants to fight with people about."
"Well, I'm going to run for a leadership position. We are sorting it all out. You know, we will see where it all ends up. But, I hope my colleagues put their faith in me."