On MSNBC’s AM Joy, Leader Pelosi Calls for A Better Deal for Hard-Working Americans, Opposes Tax Cuts for the Wealthy Few

From the House Democratic Leader's Press Office

This morning, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi joined Joy Ann Reid on MSNBC's AM Joy to discuss Republicans' flawed Ryan-McConnell Tax Plan for Billionaires, which would cut taxes for the wealthy few on the backs of hard-working American families. She also highlighted Democrats' commitment to offering A Better Deal: Better Jobs, Better Wages, Better Future by creating good-paying, full-time jobs, lowering the cost of living and building an economy that gives Americans the tools to succeed.

Leader Pelosi also discussed President Trump's shameful attacks on women's health, by rolling back federal rules that cover access to contraception.

Below are the highlights.

On President Trump's Divisive Rhetoric Following Fallen Soldiers in Niger:

"What I think is important is that we let the young men rest in peace and we find out the circumstances that happened in Niger. What is the scope of our involvement there" Do we need an authorization of the use of military force" What is the geography of it" What is the scope of it" What is the timing of it?"

"I know the, Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Defense Committee [are] looking into it. I don't know if they would describe it as an investigation but people on both sides of the aisle want to know the facts."

...

"I think they would do it, the Armed Services Committee, and the Foreign Affairs Committee that has jurisdiction over the scope of the authorization of the use of force. I don't see any need for them to go into what they did in Benghazi because that was politically motivated - this should not be."

On President Trump's Assaults on Women's Health:

"This is about respect. It's about respect for women's judgement, for the size and timing of family. Respect for women in the workplace - equal pay for equal work. Respect for women with the Affordable Care Act - being a woman was no longer a pre-existing medical condition. The list goes on and on in terms of the obvious disrespect - for things I won't even go into that aren't about policy, but are about behavior."

"One advantage we have now is that they're very clear about their agenda. For years they were a little more subtle about it, but now it's clear."

...

"It isn't even about the full reproductive rights for women, and it's about family planning, contraception [and] birth control, and they don't want to fund that. They have said to women with the President's recent Executive Order, 'it's up to your employer to decide if you can afford contraception.'"

...

"I always said they [women] had a lot at stake in the election and a lot to lose with the election of Donald Trump and the Republicans in Congress, and let's hope women will speak up."

On the Ryan-McConnell Tax Plan for Billionaires:

"As you know, the President is the Deflector-in-Chief. We would like to talk about what he's doing to the middle class in terms of the tax bill and he wants to deflect the conversation from that."

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"This tax bill is Armageddon. This hurts the middle class. It's an opportunity cost FOR our investments in our budget. We are For A Better Deal: Better Jobs, Better Pay, and a Better Future and we must reject the Republican Tax Plan, that's our task at hand."

On the Immediate Need for an Outside, Independent Commission to Investigate Trump-Russia Ties:

"I would like us to have an independent commission. We have an investigation within the Justice Department, and an investigation within the Congress and we should have an outside investigation as to what happened."