Ayanna Pressley: “I thank Congresswoman Tlaib for her leadership in founding the Mamas' Caucus. I appreciate the way in which wherever she…”

“I thank Congresswoman Tlaib for her leadership in founding the Mamas' Caucus. I appreciate the way in which wherever she sees a gap, she seeks to fill it. I also appreciate what an incredible role model she is and the righteous representation that she provides for her sons. I appreciate the way that she fights for every child as if they are her own. This time of year, Mr. Speaker, we wax poetic about the contributions of mothers, call their work valued, their love endless, their role invaluable. Mr. Speaker, mothers across America don't want a Hallmark card, they want policy change. I grew up in a small storefront church on the south side of Chicago, and my grandfather was the pastor there. Even as a pastor, he would often say that he would rather see a sermon than hear one. Mr. Speaker, the mothers of this country are deserving of policies, policies that see them, center them, and serve them, and they would prefer those over bouquets, verbal or otherwise. We tell mothers that caregiving is their greatest contribution and then undermine them at every turn. We tell women that motherhood is aspirational and the greatest contribution they will ever make, while for many a safe pregnancy is a privilege and not a right. Then we thrust them into a broken healthcare system that denies their bodily autonomy, criminalizes pregnancy outcomes, and jeopardizes their lives.…”