ICYMI: Murray Slams Trump for Illegal Impoundment
***WATCH: Senator Murray’s full remarks***
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, delivered the following remarks at the Senate Democratic leadership press conference, calling out Republican inaction to prevent President Trump’s illegal attempt to cut funding for lifesaving health research, education programs, and more through a “pocket rescission.”
Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below:
“If Republicans are ready to grow a spine and help us rein in Trump on pocket rescissions—great, it’s way past time. I am not holding my breath.
“Even though I’ve heard what some Republicans said recently about opposing Trump’s move to steal taxpayer dollars, I’ve also seen what they did about this threat over the past two years, which is nothing.
“When Russ Vought made it plain-as-day he would try illegal pocket recissions, every Senate Republican voted to confirm him. When his nominee for deputy director said pocket rescissions were still on the table—many months after Trump issued one—every Senate Republican voted to confirm him.
“And when Democrats fought for language time and again to stop this exact thing—including in the recent CR negotiations, weeks ago—Republicans said no.
“First, Republicans voted to confirm the arsonist—a man openly hostile to Congress and our power of the purse. Then, they refused to take away his matches. And now, they are surprised the house is burning? You know what? You don’t get to be surprised when the arsonist you confirmed to run America’s budget starts fires.
“Especially when we keep seeing this kind of push from Trump to give him more power and rip up our bipartisan agreements with partisan rescissions. It seems like every time Trump says ‘stoop,’ the only response most Republicans can muster is: ‘How low?’
“Trump uses tariffs to slap one of the largest tax increases on Americans ever—and Republicans do nothing. Trump calls for the largest health care cuts in our history—and Republicans move heaven and earth to get it done. Trump nominates an anti-vaxxer to lead the health department—and even Republican lawmakers who are doctors are afraid to step out of line to stop him. Trump starts a war with Iran—something he literally campaigned against—and Republicans champion his one-and-a-half trillion-dollar war budget.
“Maybe Republicans are confused—but when we talk about checks and balances, it is not about blank checks for Trump’s wars, it is not about balancing his tax cuts for billionaires with health care cuts on families. It is about stopping a president who is out-of-control—and sorely out-of-touch with the American people.
“And I really can’t drive that part home enough, because Trump proves just how out-of-touch he is every time he opens his mouth.
“Trump says groceries are ‘old fashioned,’ and affordability is a ‘scam.’ Trump says his favorite word is ‘tariffs,’ and that he loves inflation. Trump says families can spend less on dolls, and more on gas. Trump says we can’t afford child care, but wars can be fought forever. He says he doesn’t think about Americans’ financial situation at all.
“Well, yeah. No kidding. Now if you are Trump’s family—or one of his billionaire buddies who are cashing in on the corruption—Trump’s economy is probably working great.
“But working families are hurting today, and they are sick of waiting for Republicans to take their heads out of the sand and notice.
“So let me ask, how does Trump stealing taxpayer dollars for life-saving health care, research, or housing, help make life more affordable? It does not.”
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