DPCC Co-Chair Cicilline: Republicans Have Failed on Infrastructure, Failed on Taxes and Failed on Health Care
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman David Cicilline, Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), appeared on CNN's Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer to discuss how the President and Washington Republicans have failed to address the real issues impacting the American people. Cicilline highlighted how Democrats are fighting for the people and will drive down health care costs, raise family incomes and clean up corruption in Washington if elected to govern in the majority. Below is a transcript from the interview. Click here to watch the video.
"Well, Wolf, I think it shows that the Democratic candidates who are traveling the country and, you know, running in congressional places all across America, are talking about our agenda For the People of America to drive down health care costs, to protect coverage for preexisting conditions, to drive down the cost of prescription drugs, to raise family incomes by rebuilding America, and to take on the pervasive corruption in Washington and get money out of our political system – that those items are the concerns of the American people. Democrats are talking about the issues that are important to families all across this country. And, this is a Republican President and a Republican Party that's desperate to change the subject. You know, if you're in the majority – the House, Senate and White House – you should be bragging about all the things you've gotten done for the American people. But, of course, they haven't gotten anything done for the American people. And, so what he's doing instead is trying to change the subject to talk about birthright citizenship and this cockamamie idea that he can amend the Constitution through executive order, which, of course, he can't. And, talking about this caravan to stoke fear in his base. But, this is a Republican Party that has accomplished nothing for the American people, and are desperate to try to make up some argument to persuade their voters to come out and vote anyway. And, I think it's not working, because Democrats are talking about the things that matter to people and matter in their lives."
"Well, look, I think there is no question. The unemployment rate is very low and we should all be celebrating that. But, the reality is, if you dig below those numbers a bit, it's still the case that people are working two and three jobs just to get by. That wages haven't really increased and people understand that the Republicans just gave away a huge tax cut to the richest people in this country. 83% of that tax cut went to the top 1% and now the Republicans are proposing that we cut Social Security and Medicare to pay for that tax cut. So, I think, you know, the economy is improving broadly. But, it's still the case that family incomes have not gone up and everything else in people's lives has. And, that's why we have been very focused on raising family incomes, driving down the cost of health care and getting money out of our political system once and for all."
"Well, first of all, you know, we have attempted to work with our Republican colleagues to not only secure the border, but pass comprehensive immigration reform. But, they continue to want to use this issue for their political advantage. The President knows you cannot amend the Constitution by executive order. Our Founding Fathers put in the Constitution a process to amend it. The President knows that. You don't have to be a legal scholar. You just have to be able to read and you'll see that it's in the Constitution, birthright citizenship. And, there's a process. If you want to amend it, you have to go through this process. So the notion that the President is suggesting he can amend the Constitution by executive order, this President or any other President, is ridiculous and he knows it. But, he's doing it in an effort to just change the subject. So that he won't have to answer to the Republican failure to pass an infrastructure bill, to really cut taxes for middle class families, to raise family incomes, to protect health care. And, instead, he's trying to change the subject with this very silly idea. The Speaker pointed out that the President can't do it by executive order. I applaud him for doing that. I wish he would do that more often. But, I applaud him for finally doing it."
"Well, I think we can't take anything for granted. I have been traveling around helping candidates around the country. We have the best candidates we have ever had running for Congress - that are speaking about the issues that matter in their districts, that are committed to driving down health care costs and raising family incomes and taking on the serious corruption in Washington. They are incredibly close races. I expect that we're going to win. We're going to take the House back. But, we're going to not let our foot off the gas. We have one more week, and everyone is going to do everything they can to make sure our vote gets out. This is the most consequential election in my lifetime. If you have been upset about what has happened in this country in the last two years, imagine what it will be like if after the midterms the President can argue, look, the American people had their chance. They didn't give Democrats the House. They have affirmed me it will be full speed ahead and we won't recognize this country in two years. So, we're not taking anything for granted but I'm optimistic."