DPCC Co-Chair Dingell: Democrats Are Fighting For the People
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), appeared on FOX News Sunday With Chris Wallace to discuss Congressional oversight responsibilities. Dingell highlighted how Democrats are fighting For the People by lowering the cost of health care and rebuilding the infrastructure in our country. Below are excerpts from the interview. Click here to watch the video.
"So, I'm going to actually say that we as a Congress - not just Democrats, Democrats and Republicans - can walk and chew gum at the same time. Congress has a fundamental responsibility for oversight in investigations, and I think we abdicated it the last two years. At the same time, we have a fundamental responsibility to the people that elected us to be for the people…we did guns this week, which is a subject that matters deeply to me. It's very complicated for me, as you well know too, but we've got to do something about health care. There isn't a Republican that cannot care as much as we as Democrats do about how much the cost of understand insulin is. We need to do something about our broken infrastructure. The President said he would work with us. We need to do something about pensions and trade and a lot of other. We can do both."
"So, look, I think the Cohen hearing is a first step in a very legitimate oversight process where we need to understand…I don't quite agree with the President. I don't know what the Mueller investigation is going to say. I'm waiting for facts. I think we need to get the facts. People are asking questions. And not all oversight needs to be, as you see Chairman Schiff is holding closed door hearings. They're gathering the facts and they're getting information. that's legitimate. But we are also in need to deliver for the American people. And they're holding us accountable. Do you think people aren't worried about what's happening to the cost of insulin which has gone up $300, $400 a month? We need to do something on drug prices, and that's something we should be able to agree on."
"I think that we're waiting for the facts. I've always said that. And I do not think an impeachment should ever be a partisan event. I think we need Republicans and Democrats or it will tear this country apart. It's a very serious movement. That's why oversight is a legitimate function, this investigation is a legitimate function. You know, one of the things I thought about as everybody started talking about "why do we need to know about Russia?" …. you know, during this government shutdown I met with TSA, FBI, Custom and Border Patrol, Secret Service, and all of them were scared to death that their credit rating could be impacted, and they could lose their job. And why would they lose their job? Because people think that they might be subject to some kind of blackmail. So, if we're going to hold a TSA or an FBI or a Secret Service [agent] who puts their life on the line, isn't that a legitimate role of government? We're just getting the facts to make sure that there isn't any interference by Russia in our election process, or there isn't something that's being held over the head of [any leader]."
"I think that Republicans, you know, we talked about John at the beginning of the show. he was equally hard on members of his own party as he was to Republicans. He believed that was one of the most fundamental responsibilities of our Congress is to hold people accountable. I don't know what's going on behind closed doors with Chairman Schiff. I have talked to Republicans who are concerned about interference by Russia. I think that some people need to get the courage to ask questions, and I think that we've got to ask the questions and build the case. And we've got to do it objectively and fairly and the more we do it together the better this country is."
"I'm going to say what I'm worried about in this country – which is this fear and hatred that I'm seeing. Anti-Semitism is not okay – we can never forget what happened in Germany and we have to remember that. But you know, I represent the largest Muslim population in this country too. And the hatred and the targeting we're seeing. One of the most fundamental pillars of our Constitution is under attack and that is freedom of religion. And we've got to make sure on both sides that everyone is being very careful. When you look at what happened to her in West Virginia last Friday. She was not okay either. She needs to be careful of her language…we have to be very very careful of anti-Semitism. And I'll talk to Nancy and Steny on Monday to see how we all bring ourselves together. But I see too much hatred period."
"I'm a pragmatist. Just for the record, I told you two years ago Donald Trump could win, and you all thought I was crazy, and he could win re-election. We have got to be very smart about running this election. I'm a pragmatist. I am for universal health care, Medicare for all, but I want to get there. if you don't have the vision, you're not going to get there. We've got a problem with global climate change. You know, people are mad at me all the time. The auto industry's mad at me because I say we need to set fuel economy standards for 2030…I am from Michigan, an auto person, so what do I do? I go to AOC and said we want to go to a carbon less society, will you work with me to build an electric infrastructure that will help give confidence for people to buy electric vehicles…she's coming to Detroit. I invited her and she's going to work with me…why can't we work together toward common goals?"