Press Releases
"Dr. Ben Carson is a disconcerting and disturbingly unqualified choice to lead a department as complex and consequential as Housing and Urban Development.
"Our country deserves a HUD Secretary with the relevant experience to protect the rights of homeowners and renters, particularly in low income and minority communities, and to ensure that everyone in our country can have access to safe and affordable housing without facing discrimination or homelessness.
"There is no evidence that Dr. Carson brings the necessary credentials to hold a position with such immense responsibilities and impact on families and communities across America."
"The President-elect's impulsive, ill-informed and dangerous ideas on America's military and national security strategy have always been gravely concerning. The decision to order Americans into combat requires the most serious and somber judgement – but throughout the campaign, President-elect Trump chose to insult the judgement of our military commanders and the fighting ability of our men and women in uniform.
The Steering & Policy Committee also nominated the following Ranking Members for exclusive House Committees to be approved by the Democratic Caucus:
- Appropriations: Nita Lowey of New York
- Energy and Commerce: Frank Pallone of New Jersey
- Financial Services: Maxine Waters of California
- Ways and Means: Richard Neal of Massachusetts
"Overall, November's jobs report shows the economy is moving forward. However, for many communities and families across America, the story is different. Too many Americans feel deep anxiety about their jobs, their wages and their future.
"Republicans' Select Panel to Attack Women's Health has always been a highly partisan witch hunt aimed at undermining women's health care and life-saving medical research. Now that House Republicans are shifting resources to fund an additional $800,000 in taxpayer dollars on their unending assault on women's health, the total squandered on this partisan witchhunt is now more than $1.5 million.
"The 21st Century Cures Act represents a vital step forward that will modernize and strengthen our nation's pursuit of lifesaving treatments and cures. We are providing reforms and resources that will accelerate innovative biomedical research, especially in precision medicine, brain research, and Vice President Biden's cancer moonshot. Also, at long last, Congress is providing the $1 billion in opioid treatment funds our communities have desperately needed to fight the epidemic of addiction that is claiming the lives of so many Americans. In addition, the legislation includes some useful improvements in mental health and substance use disorder services.
"Congresswoman Slaughter's strategic expertise is an invaluable asset to Democrats' efforts for hard-working families in the Rules Committee," said Leader Pelosi. "The values and experience Louise Slaughter brings to the position of Ranking Member will strengthen our hand in the hard legislative battles ahead."
"Today, House Democrats approved a number of rule changes with my support to expand the Leadership and provide for the elections of several positions," said Leader Pelosi. "We have approved the creation of new elected leadership positions for a Freshman Member and a Member of five terms or fewer, and also provided for elections for the Chairman of the DCCC and three co-chairs of DPCC."