January 8th 2018
*My* U.S. Representative in Congress, Ayanna Pressley of the 7th Congressional District of Massachusetts, delivered her first speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in response to the ongoing government shutdown. It took only one minute and she received blowback from establishment Democrats for making her stance “personal.”
Rep. Ayanna Pressley pushes back against President Trump [1:10]:
The very fact that she got blowback on this tells me she is doing the right thing. Now is NOT the time to step in line with establishment. I am so proud to have a representative that REPRESENTS me. Yes please, Goddess, keep it up. This is personal!
Here’s her speech:
“Madam Speaker,
I rise today in opposition to the occupant of the White House. Mr. Trump, you took an oath just as I did 5 days ago, to protect and defend the Constitution and the American people.
Sir, you dishonor that oath. You devalue the life of the immigrant, the worker and the survivor. I see right through you and so do the American people.
This has nothing to do with border security. Your shut down, another Trump generated crisis, has brought a tsunami of hurt.
So, I rise today to lift the voices of the unheard. I rise today on behalf of the families concerned about feeding their children because their WIC benefits will run dry.
I rise today in solidarity with the thousands of workers with calloused hands and broken spirits working for no pay.
I rise today in support of the survivor fleeing violent hands, seeking safety, only to find the shelter door locked because of your shutdown.
I rise today in support of the American people, who believe in the promise of this nation and ask for honest pay for an honest day’s work.
Today I rise as one and I stand as thousands.
Thank you and I yield back.”
♠
