Pelosi Remarks at Press Conference Unveiling the House Democrats’ Democracy Task Force
"Good morning, everyone. What an appropriate day to talk about reform in the electoral process – Earth Day. Because, as you know, there is a direct relationship between policies which protect our environment, recognize the challenges to the air we breathe, the water we drink – more importantly, the air our children and grandchildren breathe and the water they drink. It is, as you know, one of the biggest obstacles to doing what we need to do on the environment – the pushback that we get from some who have endless resources to fight our efforts to protect the environment.
"I'm so pleased to be here with Congresswoman Donna Edwards who is taking the lead on our reform package. And what is the title that you have determined, that the group has determined? Democracy for All. It sounds like – democracy should be for all but apparently we have to make the case. As you know, we've had leadership in this area for a long time and different segments of it.
"I have issued a DARE about Disclose – where's this money coming from? We want to know in real time who's putting up the money to make this case. [Congressman] Chris Van Hollen has led the way on that – disclose. DARE, ‘D'. ‘A': Amend the Constitution to overturn Citizens' United. [Congressman] Ted Deutch has been the leader on that, and he's in his subcommittee right how. Hopefully he'll be here to speak to the importance of mobilizing in the country to say: ‘This is not right that all this overwhelming, undisclosed money should be part of the process.' So Amend. ‘D' and ‘A' are definitely connected. Reform. Mr. Sarbanes has been in the lead on putting together consensus legislation on how we can reform the electoral system. He will talk about that. And Empower – that's what this is all about. Donna Edwards has been such a leader on that. She follows in some great footsteps – [Congressman] John Larson has worked on this a long time and I thank him for his leadership.
"And in those discussions we went from the DARE to another piece which is the piece that relates to redistricting. And Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren has worked on this for a very long time and other Members are joining her on how we have commissioned redistricting. And she will speak to that issue, and others Congresswoman Edwards will introduce, but we have new Members of Congress reaching another generation of the electorate. As you've heard me said over and over again, President Lincoln said: ‘Public sentiment is everything.' And important decisions are made here every day that affect people's lives. They should know how strong their voice is in all of this. Some of them feel disenfranchised or cynical or skeptical about how important their voice is. We want them to know that under the leadership of Donna Edwards, Democracy for All – for all, not just the privileged few.
"Donna Edwards before coming to Congress had very strong and respected credentials in this arena. She brings those credentials with the service and leadership she has provided here. This is going to be about inside maneuvering but outside mobilization, and she is the perfect leader to do that. I'm so proud that she has agreed to take the lead on this and has so much support in her leadership role. And I was also to make her part of the House Democratic Leadership so that this issue is front and center at the leadership table. Thank you, Donna Edwards, for your leadership."