DPCC Co-Chair Jeffries: Democrats are Focused on Kitchen Table, Pocketbook Issues

Image

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), appeared on Outnumbered Overtime with Harris Faulkner on FOX News to discuss how Democrats stand united around a core set of values to fight for the people and how those will translate to electoral success. Below are excerpts from the interview. Click here to watch the video.

"Well, I think that, you know, every individual senator and member of the House has to run their own race. Missouri is obviously a very different state than New York. New York is a very different state than Michigan and Ohio. Ohio is a very different state than California. But, we are united around a core set of values. And, I think primarily that is making sure we protect people with pre-existing conditions, lower health care costs, focus on infrastructure and try to clean up corruption in Washington D.C."

"Well, you know, midterm elections are traditionally a referendum on the President in office. That's been the case for Clinton. It was the case for Bush in the second term. It was the case for Barack Obama. But, the American people, I think, fundamentally, if they feel like there's been overreached, either too far to the right or too far to the left, like to rebalance the equation. And, many of us believe that's exactly what will take place tonight at least as it relates to the House of Representatives. So, hopefully we can get something done on behalf of the American people and solve problems. Not Democratic problems or Republican problems, but American problems."

"Well, it's very interesting because we have four races that are super competitive currently held by Republicans where Democrats have a real shot to win. Many of them are in the New York suburbs on the New Jersey side. One of them is in the Philadelphia suburbs on the south Jersey side. And, I think it speaks to the notion that suburban, college-educated women are going to be a key demographic to watch tonight."

"Well, we definitely have to deal with, you know, issues as it relates to what's been happening in our society and make sure that everyone, regardless of race, regardless of religion, regardless of gender, has an opportunity to pursue the American dream. And, that will continue to be important. And, that spans multiple administrations. But, what we have been saying in the House is that we are going to focus on kitchen table, pocketbook issues and fight for the people, not for the wealthy, the well off and the well-connected."

"You know, I have worked on bipartisan legislation with my good friend, Doug Collins. He's a conservative Republican from rural Georgia. I'm a progressive Democrat from what is sometimes referred to as the People's Republic of Brooklyn. We came together on legislation to help currently incarcerated individuals successfully transition into society. That is something that Jared Kushner has supported. So, I think that we've seen cooperation in this Congress. We certainly will see cooperation in the next Congress."

"Well, here is the thing. We, as Democrats, have said we need to fight to lower the high cost of prescription drugs. And, that's something that Donald Trump has also suggested that we should be doing. Let's figure out a way to get that done on behalf of the American people."