Press Releases

"Thank you very much, Leader Schumer.  I associate myself with your remarks.  You covered a lot of territory there.  I want to join you in commending the President for his presentation this morning to us.  It was one of confidence.  It was one of values.  The Affordable Care Act was transformative in terms what it meant with the lives of the American people and that health care in our country is a right, not a privilege.

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker.  I thank the gentlewoman for yielding, and I join our colleague, Mr. Lewis, in praising her leadership as Ranking Member, formerly Chair of the Rules Committee.

"On the first day of the 115th Congress, House Republicans were not focused on creating jobs, raising wages, or meeting the needs of hard-working families.  Instead, with their very first actions of the new Congress, House Republicans put forward a shameful rules package that once again exposes their commitment to a special interest agenda that threatens the health and security of millions of Americans.

"The Affordable Care Act safeguards and strengthens the health care and economic security of every American – no matter where they get health insurance.  Republicans have said their plan to repeal the ACA will have no negative effect on Americans' health security, but today, Republicans showed that is an empty promise. By rejecting Democrats' Previous Question, Republicans declared they will not promise to maintain the vital protections Americans enjoy under the Affordable Care Act.

"With House Republicans' dead-of-night attempt to destroy the Office of Congressional Ethics in the Rules Package, the House Rules Committee is more important than ever in defending against Republican attempts to undermine the fight for American families.  Under Ranking Member Louise Slaughter's leadership, and with Congressman McGovern, Congressman Hastings, and Congressman Polis returning to the Rules Committee, we will have strong, strategic and dedicated leadership to strengthen our hand in the legislative battles ahead," said Leader Pelosi.

"It is my honor to join Speaker Ryan in welcoming all of you to the 115th Congress.  To new Members and your families, in this special moment, I offer a special greeting and special congratulations.

"Each of us comes here sustained by the love of our own family and the trust of our constituents.  I am grateful to my husband Paul, our five children, our nine grandchildren, and my D'Alesandro family – especially our patriarch, my brother Thomas D'Alesandro III.

"House Republicans showed their true colors last night, and reversing their plans to destroy the Office of Congressional Ethics will not obscure their clear contempt for ethics in the People's House.  Once again, the American people have seen the toxic dysfunction of a Republican House that will do anything to further their special interest agenda, thwart transparency and undermine the public trust.

"Republicans should remember the strength of public outrage they faced in the space of 12 hours as they scheme to do lasting damage to the health and economic security of millions and millions of hard-working families."

"Republicans claim they want to ‘drain the swamp,' but the night before the new Congress gets sworn in, the House GOP has eliminated the only independent ethics oversight of their actions.  Evidently, ethics are the first casualty of the new Republican Congress.