Pelosi Remarks at Press Event to Unveil A Better Deal for Our Democracy

Contact: Ashley Etienne/Henry Connelly, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi joined House and Senate Democrats for a press event to introduce A Better Deal for Our Democracy. This agenda focuses on taking back the power from special interests and getting rid of the pay-to-play culture of corruption, cronyism and incompetence embodied by the Trump Administration, which has led to political dysfunction and a raw deal for the American people. Below are the Leader's remarks:

Leader Pelosi. Good afternoon everyone. Democrats are here to take the fight for our democracy to the very steps of the Capitol. The American people are confronted with one of the most compromised, corrupt administrations in history. Instead of delivering on his promise to drain the swamp, President Trump has become the swamp. Republicans, the White House and the Congress are cravenly beholden to big-money interests, and the American people are paying the price.

From giveaways to dirty energy polluters – our children are paying the price in the air they breathe and the water they drink. To the giveaways of tax breaks to Wall Street and wealthy corporations shipping jobs overseas – our workers and the middle class are paying the price. To giveaways to Big Pharma raising drug costs – our children, seniors and working families are paying the price every day. The American people deserve better but Republicans are standing in the way. We want Republicans and their corrupt, big-donor driven agenda to get out of the way. It has given the American people a raw deal. Democrats are offering A Better Deal for our democracy.

To save our democracy we are committed to empowering the American voter to demand responsive government, protecting every citizen's right to vote and their right to have their vote counted as cast, safeguarding our election infrastructure and ending partisan redistricting. Next, we are strengthening America's ethics laws to fight special interests, ending the revolving door in Washington and reining in the influence of lobbyists, big-money donors and special interests who drive the Republican agenda. Fixing our broken campaign finance system to combat big money influence, wiping out the scourge of unaccountable, secret, dark money and overturning Citizens United.

Republicans' special interest and donor-first agenda is part of their DNA. But Democrats have a people-first agenda, to put the power back in the hands of the American people.

We are fixing our broken political system and ensuring government works for everyone, not just the wealthy and well-connected. We are restoring the confidence of the American people in our political system, restoring government of the people, by the people and for the people. And a champion of that statement of our democracy is next. Our distinguished Leader of the United States Senate on the Democratic side, Senator Chuck Schumer.

* * *

Leader Pelosi. Thank you very much. Let me extend gratitude to the leadership of Leader Chuck Schumer, [Congressman] John Sarbanes, Senator Whitehouse, Representative Bustos, Senator Udall and Representative Jayapal for their leadership and their statements today.

I also want to recognize other Members who are here who have been working hard on this issue of a government for the people: Congressman David Price of North Carolina, [Congressman] Sablan, Congresswoman Sewell who has worked on the Voting Rights Act, of Alabama, [Congressman] Mark Pocan working for working families and increasing their voice.

Our Members wanted me to acknowledge that what we do on the inside here is only one part of reaching success. The inside maneuvering, very important. The outside mobilization, essential.

What we tried to do today is to present to the American people a road map as to how they can weigh in and the difference they can make. And helping us do that are some of the leadership groups that are here today.

And wave your flag when your name is called. At the end we should all be waving our flags. Democracy 21, Public Citizen, Center for American Progress, Common Cause, Demos, CWA – Communications Workers of America, Every Voice, People for the American Way, Sierra Club, NAACP.

There may be more [that] have come since I've turned around. If anyone else is there, please do a shout-out. Center for Popular Democracy. Anyone else?

Thank you all for what you have done over the years for the promise that we are making to the American people together to work with them to have a government of, by and for the people. A Better Deal for the American people. God Bless America. Let's all wave. Thank you. Thank you all very much.

# # #