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Pelosi Remarks at Planned Parenthood Event to Protect Our Care

July 26, 2017

Contact: Ashley Etienne/Caroline Behringer, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi joined House and Senate Democrats and representatives from Planned Parenthood at an event on the harms of Trumpcare. Below are the Leader's remarks:

Leader Pelosi. Thank you Planned Parenthood. We are on the verge of saving so many lives in our country. In just a few more hours or a few more days, it will be clear to the Members of Congress that the people are watching and judging and know who is on their side. This bill that they have been taking up and amending, the House bill, has been called the worst bill for women in the history of the Congress. That is how bad it is. They say they have family values, but for children – one mom told [Rep.] Rosa DeLauro and others this story –

Just as I was talking about family values. Ava is safe with mom. Do not be embarrassed Ava. Let's hear it for Ava being safe right now. May all of America's children be safe and sound. One of the reasons I am so proud of Planned Parenthood, just one of the reasons, in addition to the tremendous leadership of Cecile Richards, is that for a long time, in addition to the Planned Parenthood obviously fighting for the woman's right to choose and for women's full reproductive freedom, Planned Parenthood has been one of the leaders in the country in fighting to defend, protect and strengthen Medicaid.

On Sunday, we will have the 52th anniversary of Medicaid and Medicare. When President Lyndon Johnson signed the bill he said, he pledged that no one would be denied the healing miracle of modern medicine. He did not know some of these guys in the Capitol of the United States. But just think of the difference you have made. Know your power because you are making a tremendous difference. We can work very hard within, the inside maneuvering and the this and the that and with legislation and the rest, our maneuvering can only go so far without the outside mobilization, we cannot be truly successful.

Your outside mobilization, what you are doing, working with others as well, the calls, the call-ins, the visits to offices, the town hall meetings: don't you feel so proud of the difference you have made? You have served millions – served millions when you hold people accountable. Let me say this, they have been after Planned Parenthood for decades. You know why? Because you are effective, you are effective. They have been against Planned Parenthood in almost every budget I can remember for the decades I have served in the Congress. But because you did not agonize, you organized, they are failing – they are failing.

So together we fight for all veterans, thank you veterans. Can you imagine today is the 69th anniversary of President Truman – I am into history and these dates mean a lot to me – signing the order to integrate the military. On this same day, the current-occasional occupant of the White House tweeted this morning that he was firing 15,000 transgender people because he said their health care was too expensive. So it is all about healthcare.

Did you know that the Defense Department spends five times more on Viagra than it does on transgender healthcare? So we are all in this together. It is about the dignity and worth of everyone. It is about the opportunity to life – our Founders want life, a healthy life, liberty to pursue your happiness. Thank you for your patriotism to enable people to have a healthy life and the freedom to pursue their happiness

Thank you for not agonizing but organizing. Are you ready for victory? Thank you for fighting for every person in our country. Thank you for fighting for Planned Parenthood. Kill the bill, kill the bill, kill the bill. And now, I am pleased to yield back the floor.

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Issues:Health Care