Press Releases

"Time and time again, House Republicans have been handmaidens for the special interests over the public interest when it comes to conserving public lands.  With Republican Congressman Ryan Zinke's nomination to lead the Interior Department, President-elect Trump is signaling open season for corporations and private interests eager to lay waste to our public lands.

"Americans must have an Interior Secretary who will preserve, protect, and conserve America's natural resources for future generations.  We need bold, courageous leadership to protect our environment, confront the climate crisis, and preserve the natural beauty of our national parks.

"Four years ago, a gunman took the lives of 20 small children and six teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary.  In the words of the Sandy Hook Promise, ‘our hearts are broken, our spirits are not', and, today, we renew our vow to transform grief into action.

"In Governor Rick Perry, a person who wants to eliminate the Department he's been picked to lead, President-elect Trump has nominated yet another champion of the special interests.  The Secretary's decisions must be evidence-based.  Governor Perry is an anti-science, climate change denier nominated to fill a critical cabinet post most recently held by two physicists, including a Nobel laureate.

"Our nation has always needed a wise and experienced Secretary of State who has the judgement and the skill to protect our national security, strengthen our alliances, and advocate for human rights.

"Choosing an oil executive friendly with Vladimir Putin as Secretary of State sends a disturbing signal about President-elect Trump's priorities.  Rex Tillerson's cozy relationship with the Kremlin is especially alarming in light of his attitude toward sanctions over Russia's aggressive behavior in Europe, while at the same time the President-elect continues to side with Russia over the judgment of the U.S. intelligence community.

"The U.S. intelligence community has determined that Russia interfered in U.S. elections.  There must be no equivocation or ignoring the seriousness of the intelligence community's conclusion about Russia's actions.  Regardless of the outcome of the election, the American people deserve to know the truth and a commitment to protect our democracy from foreign meddling.

"Good morning, everyone.  Thank you, Reverend Corsello for your hospitality and your inspiration to all of us.  After listening to Clare and to Damien, it's hard to be composed.  It's hard to grasp the strength that Clare had telling us about Camilo.

"We heard you before – you and Damien at other events that we had.  When we followed up on the action on the Floor of the House – it was a drumbeat across America.  Clare inspired us – she inspired me with her words, her story, her strength.  She turned her grief into something better for our country.

"A full review of election-related cyber-attacks is essential to protecting the integrity of our democracy – and it would be even if the outcome was different and Hillary Clinton had been elected President.

"Defending our elections from foreign meddling is more important than any political party's advantage or disadvantage.  President-elect Trump, who openly encouraged foreign hackers to target his political opponent in the campaign, has a responsibility to the American people to confront any foreign government's efforts to undermine American democracy.

"Any Administration should be deeply troubled by Russia's attempt to tamper with our elections."