Rep. Slaughter Reacts to President Trump’s Address to Congress

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 -- Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., issued the following news release:

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (NY-25) released the following statement in reaction to President Trump's address to Congress tonight. Rochester resident Jonathan Siegel attended the president's address as her guest to highlight how health care reform has expanded and improved health care for millions of Americans. Slaughter brought the Affordable Care Act to the floor of the House of Representatives in 2009 as Chairwoman of the Rules Committee.

"The president's address tonight was heavy on vague platitudes but light on specific policy. President Trump and Congressional Republicans have been using a seldom-used law, the Congressional Review Act, to eviscerate protections enacted by the prior president. They have already used this law to make it easier for coal companies to dump toxic waste in our waterways, roll back anti-corruption measures, and allow people with severe mental illnesses to purchase firearms. The president and Congressional Republicans are now trying to rip away health care from tens of millions of people and enact sweeping budget cuts that slash billions from domestic programs at the expense of workers and the poorest among us. Instead of supporting small businesses, President Trump's plans prioritize large corporations. Rather than help our workers, the president is pursuing an agenda that helps billionaires. I will keep fighting to protect health care reform, Medicaid, and all programs that actually help working people. At the same time and for the good of our national security, I will also continue working tirelessly to hold President Trump and his administration accountable for their unprecedented financial conflicts of interest."

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