Press Release
President Obama delivered a compelling vision of how we can work together to address America’s challenges. While our economy is on the road back to health, we know we still have a long way to go—and tonight, the president discussed a strategy for getting us there.
A year ago, with its ruling in the Citizens United case, the Supreme Court struck a severe blow against the integrity of American elections. Overturning longstanding precedent, the Court's ruling allowed special interests to spend unlimited amounts of money to directly influence elections, while keeping their identities hidden from the voters. The Citizens United ruling took power out of the hands of ordinary voters and placed it in the hands of wealthy and well-connected interests.
Yesterday, House Republicans voted to undo Americans’ hard-won freedom to control their own health care. Today, they passed a largely empty resolution, which demonstrates Republicans’ lack of seriousness when it comes to bringing down premiums, ensuring that all Americans have health coverage, and reducing the deficit. Rather than debate a real health care plan—which they have had ample time to develop—Republicans passed a resolution declaring their support for 12 vague health care ‘goals.’ But they took no steps to ensure that those goals would ever result in real health care legislation and set no deadlines for such legislation to be passed. Rather than a fresh start, today’s resolution is just another example of how Republicans have failed to make the tough choices necessary to reform our health care system.
I’m deeply saddened by the loss of Sargent Shriver, a public servant who lived a full life dedicated to promoting justice and opportunity in America and throughout the world. As the first director of the Peace Corps, Mr. Shriver skillfully launched an organization that has strengthened respect for America across the world and has, for 50 years, exposed generations of Americans to the world beyond their borders. Mr. Shriver also made his mark as the director of important anti-poverty programs and as the leader of the Special Olympics movement. He brought to all of that work a singular commitment to service—and his good work will long outlive him.
Today we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the ordinary Americans who took up his call for justice and changed their country. The great historian Taylor Branch called them ‘the modern founders of democracy.’ They sought to complete the work of America’s founding—and it falls to us, in turn, to complete their work. At the heart of that work there are not speeches and spectacles, but daily acts of service.
Last night, President Obama issued an inspiring call for all Americans to conduct our public debates with more civility and respect for one another, even when we strongly differ on the best course for our nation. I agree, and I believe Congress has a responsibility to set an example of less ugly, less divisive debate. Coming together to hear an address on the state of our union in a few weeks is an especially important moment to recommit ourselves to approaching our public life with the respect and honesty that our serious, shared problems demand.
A year ago today, our neighbor Haiti was struck by a devastating earthquake that killed hundreds of thousands and left many more homeless. As we mark this sad anniversary, our thoughts are with the victims and all those still struggling to recover and rebuild. Today is a day to take stock of those recovery efforts, which are still far from finished.
I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of Ashley Turton, former Chief of Staff to Rep. Rosa DeLauro and wife of Dan Turton, White House Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs for the House of Representatives. The Capitol Hill community knew Ashley for her professionalism and commitment to public service, and many called her a friend. She was taken from her family and her community far too soon, and I know that she will be greatly missed. My thoughts are with her family, especially her husband and their three young children, in this difficult time.
Monday morning at 11:00 a.m. eastern standard time, I call on Americans to observe a moment of silence to honor the innocent victims of the senseless tragedy in Tucson, Arizona, including those still fighting for their lives. It will be a time for us to come together as a nation in prayer or reflection, keeping the victims and their families closely at heart.
We do not anticipate any recorded votes in the House this week. We all continue to keep Congresswoman Giffords, her family, her staff, and the families of the other victims in our prayers.