DNC Chair Jaime Harrison and DNC Labor Council Chair Stuart Appelbaum released the following statement on the passing of Lilly Ledbetter:
“We mourn the loss of a trailblazer, fighter, and inspiration to all: Lilly Ledbetter. A champion in the fight for equal pay, Lilly’s landmark lawsuit against her employer led to the passage of the Fair Pay Act of 2009. Her courage not only helped change our laws but fundamentally changed the lives of women nationwide.
“In the face of injustice in the workplace and in the U.S. Supreme Court, Lilly never backed down. She fought for her children, grandchildren, and every American who has experienced pay discrimination. Her dream for a more equal workplace was realized when President Obama signed the bill that bears her name into law — the first in his presidency.
“We are honored and blessed to have been graced by her advocacy, leadership, and humanity. While we are deeply saddened by her loss, her legacy lives on through the incredible mark she left on this world. She will be missed by so many, and we are thinking of her family and friends during this time. Rest in peace, Lilly Ledbetter.”
DNC Chair Jaime Harrison, DNC Native Caucus Chair Clara Pratte, and DNC AAPI Caucus Chair Bel Leong-Hong released the following statement commemorating Indigenous Peoples’ Day:
“Today and every day, we honor the contributions and resiliency of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities. Indigenous people have made historic and meaningful contributions to our country, and we’re honored to celebrate their stories, strength, and determination. The Biden-Harris administration is proud to be the first in history to issue a presidential proclamation marking Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and will continue to honor Native culture and their rich past and present, as we look toward creating a brighter future.
“President Biden and Vice President Harris are dedicated advocates for Indigenous communities, and are steadfast in upholding their responsibility to Tribal Nations. From the minute they took office, they have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of Indigenous communities nationwide. Through the American Rescue Plan, Congress authorized the largest direct federal investment in Tribal Nations — $32 billion — in history. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary and a member of the Laguna Pueblo Tribe, also helped form a new Missing & Murdered Unit to bring justice for missing and murdered Indigenous people. President Biden and Vice President Harris are tackling the impacts of climate change on Native Hawaiian communities, and new federal guidance instructs the use of the Hawaiian language in commemoration of Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi or Hawaiian Language Month.
“As Democrats continue to uplift Indigenous peoples, extreme MAGA Republicans are attempting to silence their voices through voting restrictions and gerrymandered congressional maps. We cannot let them win. Our country’s strength lies in our diversity, and Vice President Harris and Governor Tim Walz will fight every day to build on our progress, protect Tribal lands, and invest in Indigenous communities. There is still more work to do, but on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we are proud to reaffirm our commitment to America’s first stewards and ensure Indigenous communities continue to thrive.”
In observance of Yom Kippur, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison released the following statement:
“Yom Kippur offers us a time to seek forgiveness and reflect on the past year. On this Day of Atonement, the Jewish community marks its holiest holiday with prayer, contemplation, and a 25-hour fast. While Yom Kippur asks us to repent, it also gives us the blessing of transformation and hope for our future.
“As Jewish families observe this solemn and sacred holiday, we recognize that this Yom Kippur comes shortly after the first anniversary of the brutal terrorist attack against Israel on October 7, and amidst escalating violence. We pray for the safe return of the remaining hostages.
“This weekend, our Jewish brothers and sisters across the country and around the world will come together to repent and reset for the year ahead. G’mar Chatima Tova— wishing a meaningful and easy fast to all those observing Yom Kippur.”
In observance of Yom Kippur, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison released the following statement:
“Yom Kippur offers us a time to seek forgiveness and reflect on the past year. On this Day of Atonement, the Jewish community marks its holiest holiday with prayer, contemplation, and a 25-hour fast. While Yom Kippur asks us to repent, it also gives us the blessing of transformation and hope for our future.
“As Jewish families observe this solemn and sacred holiday, we recognize that this Yom Kippur comes shortly after the first anniversary of the brutal terrorist attack against Israel on October 7, and amidst escalating violence. We pray for the safe return of the remaining hostages.
“This weekend, our Jewish brothers and sisters across the country and around the world will come together to repent and reset for the year ahead. G’mar Chatima Tova— wishing a meaningful and easy fast to all those observing Yom Kippur.”
DNC Chair Jaime Harrison released the following statement on the passing of Ethel Kennedy:
“It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that we mourn the loss of a giant of history, a dedicated public servant, and a champion for human rights, Ethel Kennedy.
“Ethel was a tried and true fighter for the American people, an advocate for the most vulnerable among us, and a matriarch in her family. When faced with unfathomable tragedy, she poured her heart and energy into making the world a better, more peaceful place to live. Her legacy of advocacy and kindness lives on through her many children and grandchildren and through the work of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights.
“We are blessed to have been graced by Ethel’s intelligence, thoughtfulness, and humanity. While our hearts are broken, as her family said, we are comforted knowing she is reunited with her beloved husband, Robert F. Kennedy. Our condolences go out to her loved ones, and we are thinking of them during this time. She will be missed by many, and we are forever thankful for her lifetime of hard work. Rest in peace.”
As Donald Trump and JD Vance push an extreme Project 2025 agenda that includes gutting Medicare and Medicaid, DNC Rapid Response Director Alex Floyd released the following statement:
“Donald Trump spent every year of his presidency trying to gut Medicare and Medicaid – and he’s already made clear his plans for a second term include ‘cutting’ these critical benefits for our seniors. The Trump-Vance ticket is pushing an extreme Project 2025 blueprint that would undo the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to lower prescription drug costs for seniors while putting Medicare and Medicaid on the chopping block. While Vice President Harris and Governor Walz are focused on expanding Medicare for our seniors, Trump and JD Vance will leave millions of Americans high and dry as they push a dangerous, out of touch, and unpopular Project 2025 agenda.”
Donald Trump has floated cuts to crucial programs like Medicare and Medicaid after years of railing against and threatening them.
Joe Kernen, CNBC: “Have you changed your outlook on how to handle entitlements, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid?”
Trump: “So first of all, there is a lot you can do in terms of entitlements, in terms of cutting.”
Forbes: “Trump Floats ‘Cutting’ Spending On Entitlements Like Social Security And Medicare”
Rolling Stone: “Trump Floats Cuts to Social Security and Medicare”
CNN: “Trump now says he’s open to entitlement cuts, including Medicare”
Mediaite: “During a Fox News town hall, President Donald Trump promised to cut entitlements like Medicare and Social Security if he were to win a second term. … ‘But if you don’t cut something in entitlements, you will never really deal with the debt,’ town hall co-moderator Martha MacCallum interjected, alluding to social safety programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. ‘Oh, we’ll be cutting,’ Trump rushed to confirm.”
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: “President Trump has made clear that his goal remains to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including its expansion of Medicaid to low-income adults, and to impose rigid caps on the federal government’s Medicaid spending.”
Trump proposed cuts to Medicare and Medicaid in every single one of his budgets as president, left children uninsured when he cracked down on Medicaid, and more.
Washington Post: “His avowed stance, however, is at odds with Trump’s own record as president: Each of his White House budget proposals included cuts to Social Security and Medicare programs.”
Vox: “Trump said he wouldn’t cut Medicaid, Social Security, and Medicare. His 2020 budget cuts all 3.”
2019 and 2020: Trump proposed budgets that included hundreds of billions of dollars in cuts to Medicare.
In his FY18, FY19, FY20, and FY21 budgets, Trump repeatedly proposed hundreds of billions in cuts to Medicaid.
ProPublica: “The Trump Administration Cracked Down on Medicaid. Kids Lost Insurance.”
Los Angeles Times: “Rebuffed by the courts in its previous efforts to gut Medicaid, the Trump administration teed up a new, far-reaching attack on the program that could affect the health of millions of low-income Americans.”
New York Times: “The Trump administration said on Thursday that it would allow states to cap Medicaid spending for many poor adults, a major shift long sought by conservatives that gives states the option of reducing health benefits for millions who gained coverage through the program under the Affordable Care Act.”
CBS News: “Trump administration to withhold Medicaid funding from California over abortion insurance requirement”
JD Vance has railed against Medicare and other entitlement programs that Americans depend on.
Vance: “[Social Security and Medicare] are the biggest roadblocks to any kind of real fiscal sanity.”
Vance: “The way forward is as obvious as it is politically difficult: … reform current entitlements and avoid enacting new ones.”
Vance: “We’ve got to, frankly, stop spending so much on welfare benefits and start having a lot more workers who are paying into the system.”
Project 2025 — an “undeniably” Trump-driven operation — includes plans to accelerate efforts to privatize Medicare, cut Medicaid benefits, and repeal provisions in President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act that allow Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices.
Project 2025: “Add work requirements and match Medicaid benefits to beneficiary needs. Because Medicaid serves a broad and diverse group of individuals, it should be flexible enough to accommodate different designs for different groups.”
Project 2025: “This ‘negotiation’ program should be repealed, and reforms in Part D that will have meaningful impact for seniors should be pursued…
“In addition, intermediate tax reform should repeal all tax increases that were passed as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, including the book minimum tax, the stock buyback excise tax, the coal excise tax, the reinstated Superfund tax, and excise taxes on drug manufacturers to compel them to comply with Medicare price controls.”
Rolling Stone: “Republicans Are Planning to Totally Privatize Medicare — And Fast”
“Such a policy would hasten the end of the traditional Medicare program, as well as its foundational premise: that seniors can go to any doctor or provider they choose. The change would be a boon for private health insurers — which generate massive profits and growing portions of their revenues from Medicare Advantage plans — and further consolidate corporate control over the United States health care system.
“It would not likely benefit seniors, since the private plans limit the doctors they can see and often wrongfully deny patients’ care. Because the plans are costly, experts say the GOP proposal could threaten the Medicare program’s solvency.”
Axios: “This is undeniably a Trump-driven operation. The biggest tell: Johnny McEntee — one of Trump’s closest White House aides, and his most fervent internal loyalty enforcer — is a senior adviser to Project 2025. One of the most powerful architects is Stephen Miller, a top West Wing adviser for the Trump administration.”
The Week: “Many of Trump’s indicated plans for a second term fall in line with the Project 2025 outline.”
New York Times: “Roberts told me that he views Heritage’s role today as ‘institutionalizing Trumpism.’ This includes leading Project 2025, a transition blueprint that outlines a plan to consolidate power in the executive branch, dismantle federal agencies and recruit and vet government employees to free the next Republican president from a system that Roberts views as stacked against conservative power. The lesson of Trump’s first year in office, Roberts told me, is that ‘the Trump administration … simply got a slow start. And Heritage and our allies in Project 2025 believe that must never be repeated.’”
On the anniversary of the October 7th attack, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison released the following statement:
“One year ago, a joyful day filled with music, love, and laughter spiraled into the deadliest attack on the Jewish community since the Holocaust. More than 1,200 people — young adults, babies, grandparents — were killed in an act of hatred and terrorism at the hands of Hamas, including 46 Americans. 254 more were taken hostage, including 12 Americans, with many having since been tragically killed in captivity. Today, we honor their lives, mourn with their friends and family, and recommit ourselves to bringing the hostages home.
“The pain and suffering of the October 7 victims is unimaginable, and our hearts break with their families as they fight to bring their loved ones home. Jon Polin, whose son Hersh was taken hostage and murdered by Hamas, said, ‘Maybe, just maybe, your death is the stone, the fuel that would bring all the remaining 101 hostages.’ Today, we must not let hate win, and we must condemn antisemitism and prejudice whenever we see it. We must continue working for the release of all the hostages, including the seven American citizens, living and deceased, still held: Omer, Edan, Sagui, Keith, Judy, Gad, and Itay. In Israel, in Gaza, and around the world, we must ask for peace, love, and appreciation for all humanity.
“Throughout history, the Jewish community has proven to be strong in the face of hate and resilient when they are made to suffer. Let us use this moment to come together as people. Our hearts are with the families and friends of those who were killed in this attack and are suffering amidst escalating violence, and we stand shoulder to shoulder with you.”
DNC Hispanic Caucus Chair Iris Martinez, DNC Women’s Caucus Chair Lottie Shackelford, and Acting Co-Executive Director Monica Guardiola released the following statement to recognize Latina Equal Pay Day:
“This October 3, we observe Latina Equal Pay Day in recognition of the additional days that Latinas must work to earn what their white male counterparts earned on average in the previous year. Although Latinas excel in many industries across our country and are participating in the workforce in record numbers, Latinas continue to face a pay gap. As it stands, Latinas working full-time make only 58 cents for every dollar a white non-Hispanic male makes. Because of this, a typical Latina woman loses out on more than $1.2 million over the course of a 40-year career.
“In 2021, Latinas contributed $1.3 trillion to the U.S. gross domestic product, yet Latinas remain overrepresented in lower-wage jobs, such as service and domestic work, and often lack basic workplace protections. The pay gap is even larger for immigrant Latinas. Their citizenship status often makes them more vulnerable to wage theft, discrimination, and harassment in the workplace. That’s unacceptable, and that’s why President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Democrats continue to fight for equal pay for Latinas in this country. Until the women who perform some of the most essential jobs can achieve economic security, our economy and communities will not reach their full potential.
“We must remember that this disparity not only hurts Latinas but their families and communities. Vice President Harris understands the importance of closing gender and racial pay gaps, and remains committed to advancing pay and gender equity, fighting for economic security for all, and expanding access to good-paying jobs. Vice President Harris’ Opportunity Economy plan will provide Latinas with an expanded startup expense tax deduction to help start a small business. Additionally, she will expand the Earned Income Tax Credit for workers in lower-income jobs, which would cut taxes by up to $1,250. Vice President Harris has a plan to uplift Latinas, and bridge the wage gap. That’s why on November 5, we need to send Kamala Harris and Tim Walz to the White House.”
In celebration of Rosh Hashanah, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison released the following statement:
“On Rosh Hashanah, our Jewish friends and family gather to reflect on the past and celebrate the year to come. The start of the Jewish New Year marks renewal, forgiveness, and belief in a brighter future. Across the country and around the world, Jewish communities will join together to honor traditions like dipping apples in honey, symbolizing the hope for a sweet new year.
“As Jewish people look ahead to the upcoming year, we also recognize that this Rosh Hashanah comes as we approach the first anniversary of the brutal terrorist attack against Israel on October 7, and in the midst of escalating violence. Families are recognizing this holiday without their loved ones who were taken hostage or killed at the hands of Hamas. We mourn the lives of those we lost, and promise to carry their memories with us.
“While this Rosh Hashanah offers a time of reflection, it’s also a reminder of the Jewish community’s resilience. Today marks the 5784th year on the Jewish calendar, underscoring the Jewish people’s unbreakable strength and spirit. Shana Tova and a sweet new year to all who celebrate.”
In honor of Disability Employment Awareness Month, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison and DNC Disability Caucus Chair Derek Devermont released the following statement:
“Our nation is at its best when we recognize all Americans’ unique contributions and create opportunities for all who want to participate in our workforce. During Disability Employment Awareness Month, we are proud to celebrate the historic achievement of disabled Americans in our fight to ensure we all have equal opportunity to succeed and live out our dreams. As Democrats, we are committed to ensuring all Americans have the tools they need to support their families and work with confidence and dignity.
“From day one, President Biden and Vice President Harris have been proud champions of equity, accessibility, and inclusion in the workforce. The Biden-Harris administration issued an executive order promoting greater equity and diversity in government jobs, pioneered initiatives to make government applications and websites more accessible and user-friendly, and invested billions of dollars in accessible public transportation through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. They also signed the historic PACT Act into law, which provides vital health care for disabled veterans.
“While Vice President Harris is working tirelessly to break down barriers for disabled Americans, we cannot ignore the threat posed by Donald Trump — who has repeatedly mocked and disregarded disabled Americans. A second Trump term would go even further. Trump and Vance’s extreme Project 2025 agenda threatens to slash Medicaid benefits and roll back critical workplace protections. As we celebrate our progress, we must remain vigilant and remember the threat that Trump and his MAGA Republicans pose to the disabled community. The stakes of this election are high, and the rights of Americans with disabilities are on the ballot. Americans deserve leaders who fight for inclusivity and fairness, and that’s why this November, we all must send Kamala Harris and Tim Walz to the White House.”
