Political Quotes

“This week, Republicans are choosing MAGA extremism over our military, over women's health rights, and over diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our military, Mr. Chairman, was founded to fight for the freedom of all our citizens. House Republicans have threatened democracy with these divisive amendments, setting us back in history far before civil rights and taking us back to slavery. The very fabric of our country stands on equal rights, freedoms, and the decisions of all our citizens. They are divisive amendments using the defense bill to undermine the freedom for us to learn about one another, for us to hire one another, and for us to understand our cultures. It would bring us together if we did DEI. Even your own chairman of the Financial Services Committee said that we would include diversity and inclusion in our committees because we are stronger when we are together. Democrats have long advocated for more rights, not for less, for more access for those marginalized, and for more freedom for those who are considered citizens of our beloved country. Mr. Chairman, this is wrong, and we are better than that. It is very difficult as a Black woman for me to stand on this House floor and have my colleagues say that there is no value and no need for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.”