‘Trump & House GOP Have Failed…’ Hakeem Jeffries Stunning Declaration Ahead Of Midterms

[0:00] or in affordable America. [0:03] And as we return home to our districts [0:05] all across the country, [0:08] we will make clear to the American people [0:11] that our promise to them is to lower [0:15] the cost of groceries, gas, and housing. [0:21] Our promise to the American people [0:22] is that we will fight for affordable healthcare [0:26] for every single American. [0:30] And our promise to the American people [0:33] is that we will hold the crooks accountable. [0:39] If you're a crook in the United States of America [0:41] and you've been stealing from the American people, [0:47] we're coming after you. [0:50] So we can deliver a government of the people, [0:54] by the people, and for the people. [0:57] Questions? [0:58] Mr. Leader, good morning. [1:00] With what's happened in Iran now, [1:02] will Democrats recalibrate their message on Iran? [1:05] Will we see ads on Iran going into the midterm? [1:08] We don't have to recalibrate our message. [1:10] We've been opposed to Donald Trump's reckless [1:13] and costly war of choice in the Middle East [1:16] from the very beginning. [1:20] And what's clear now is that the overwhelming majority [1:24] of the American people reject this war, [1:28] understand it was completely and totally unnecessary, [1:33] that Donald Trump promised not to start forever wars, [1:37] but to stop them, and instead turned around, [1:41] and in the Middle East has done the exact opposite. [1:44] So we're going to continue, as we've done once again forcefully [1:48] on the floor today, to make clear [1:51] that this Trump-Republican war in Iran [1:54] needs to come to an end immediately. [1:58] Mr. D-Trip way to come. [2:06] I have complete and total confidence in Susan Del Bene, [2:11] her leadership of the DCCC, [2:13] and as a result of that leadership, [2:15] I'm confident we're going to take back control [2:17] of the House of Representatives in November. [2:20] Thanks. [2:21] Hold on, hold on, hold on. [2:24] Thank you, Mr. Leader. [2:29] I'm just curious, I know seniority [2:33] has been a priority of the Democratic caucus [2:36] for a long time. [2:37] Do you still see seniority as a factor, [2:39] or even the most important factor, [2:40] in determining who leads committees? [2:43] It's never been the only factor. [2:46] It's always been a factor. [2:47] Seniority is really experience. [2:50] Experience should translate into whether you've [2:52] been able to deliver effectively in leading the committee. [2:58] And the caucus is going to work its will as we move forward. [3:04] At the end of the day, we can't put the cart before the horse. [3:07] We've got to still go out and win this thing in November. [3:13] And we're going to do everything possible to do just that. [3:15] We have great candidates all across the country. [3:18] D-Triple-C, once again, just announced, second quarter, [3:21] we out-raised the Republican National Campaign Committee. [3:26] House Majority PAC has had a record-breaking six months [3:35] in the on-year on top of a record-breaking off-year. [3:39] And clearly, the environment, as repeatedly demonstrated [3:46] by public opinion survey after public opinion survey, [3:49] most recently from Fox News, all point in the same direction. [3:56] But we're not taking anything for granted. [3:58] We're going to keep our foot on the gas pedal, run through the finish line [4:03] to try to do what has to be done for the American people. [4:05] And then, if we're in a position to organize, heading into the majority [4:13] in the 120th Congress next year, then that's what we'll do. [4:18] Do you agree with Zoran Mamdani that the federal government should comply [4:23] with the ICC's arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu? [4:28] I haven't talked to him about this issue. [4:32] He's been very vocal on the issue. [4:35] I continue to maintain the position that, one, we've got to figure out [4:41] how to move things in a better direction in the Middle East. [4:46] And for me, that means a safe and secure Israel, as a Jewish and democratic state, [4:52] living side by side in peace and prosperity, with an independent Palestinian state, [4:59] that provides dignity, self-determination, and respect for the Palestinian people. [5:05] Today is going to be the EPA World Trade Protection Pledge, [5:14] where she said AI companies are going to be making commitments to lower costs [5:18] and protect consumers from the cost of data centers being built in their neighborhoods. [5:24] My question is, do you think that a commitment, a pledge to the Trump administration [5:29] is sufficient on this issue? [5:31] A lot of consumers are concerned about not only the economic impacts of data centers [5:35] being built in their neighborhoods, but the environmental impact. [5:38] Is that something that you think can be subdued with a commitment, [5:43] or is that something that Congress is going to have to do legislating? [5:46] Congress is ultimately going to have to legislate in this area [5:50] with respect to artificial intelligence generally. [5:54] We want to make sure, obviously, that America can continue to lead in the race [6:00] to innovate in this space, while at the same period of time ensuring [6:06] that we are vigilantly protecting the quality of life of the American people. [6:12] You know, under the leadership of Ted Lieu, Josh Gottheimer, and Valerie Fouché, [6:19] we have been engaging with stakeholders all across the country to be prepared to actually legislate in a serious way [6:30] moving forward on all of these issues, because Donald Trump and the Republicans have dropped the ball. [6:38] Thanks. [6:40] Speaker Johnson's almost taken a page out of York and talking about, similarly, [6:44] you know, team normal versus team crazy as it relates to communism. [6:48] How do you break through that message? [6:50] It doesn't seem to be working if you actually look at the reaction of the American people [6:56] in terms of who is on the verge of taking back control of the House of Representatives. [7:00] These people are desperate. [7:02] They're flailing all over the place because Republicans have failed to deliver a single thing [7:09] that makes life better for the American people. [7:11] In fact, what they've consistently delivered is breaking promises. [7:17] That's what the Republican track record shows. [7:21] That's why they're in deep trouble in so many ways. [7:25] Republicans promised to lower the high cost of living on day one. [7:29] Costs having gone down, they've gone up. [7:32] Republicans promised that immigration enforcement in this country was going to target the worst of the worst. [7:39] Instead, ICE is spending billions of dollars of taxpayer money to brutalize or kill American citizens [7:47] and to violently target law abiding immigrant families. [7:51] Republicans promised to love and cherish Medicaid and then turned around and enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history, [8:00] ripping health care away from more than 14 million Americans. [8:04] Republicans promised not to start endless wars in the Middle East, but to stop them and then turned around [8:10] and got us involved in this reckless and costly war of choice in Iran. [8:15] And gas prices are skyrocketing out of control in an economy that is suffocating and drowning the American people. [8:25] And so I haven't really followed all of the hyperbole that's come out of Mike Johnson and Steve Scalise and others, [8:37] because I don't think the American people are taking it seriously. [8:41] And it's certainly the case that the extraordinary candidates that are running in districts all across America, [8:52] including Kate Conley in New York, Rebecca Bennett in New Jersey, Joanna Mendoza in Arizona, [9:03] three extraordinary patriotic, brave women, combat veterans, can't be painted as anti-American. [9:14] And the Republicans know it, but everything else that they've tried up until this point has failed. [9:21] And this effort to label us as communists is going to fail as well. [9:27] Is that going to be a red, well-made language that explicitly throws out that country rule to support OCR in September [9:45] and how do you start coordinating with Schumer on the strategies for a British check that I'm not saying? [9:49] Our view remains the same in terms of arriving at a spending agreement in September. [9:58] We're not down with the my way or the highway Republican approach. [10:03] That has gotten them nowhere. [10:06] And I don't know why they continue to go back to that playbook. [10:08] Even John Thune has said, with respect to the Republican continuing resolution related to the upcoming fiscal year, [10:19] that that spending bill is dead on arrival in the Senate. [10:23] Chuck Schumer didn't say that exclusively. [10:28] John Thune did. [10:31] So Mike Johnson, House Republicans, they're not even on the same page with members of their own party. [10:37] The my way or the highway Republican approach will continue to crash and burn. [10:41] It will fail. [10:42] And so our view is the appropriators should sit down, led by Rosa DeLauro on our side, [10:49] and enter into a bipartisan conversation about reaching an agreement that is actually designed to meet the needs of the American people. [11:00] And if that can't be done in advance of September 30th, then we should enter into a bipartisan continuing resolution [11:08] that gives the appropriators the space to actually enact a spending bill at some point prior to the end of this calendar year [11:17] that lifts up the health, the safety and the economic well-being of the American people. [11:27] There was a meeting yesterday with the BPCC about messaging for the district work period. Can you share on what? [11:33] Well, I'm thankful for all of the work that's been done by the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. [11:40] On Sunday, we will be launching an effort connected to our commitment to fight for an affordable America [11:53] and have 100 days of action beginning this Sunday, July 26th, making clear to the American people [12:02] that we're focused on lowering the cost of groceries and gas and housing. [12:11] We're committed to a country that provides affordable health care for every American. [12:21] And we also are committed as Democrats to hold the crooks accountable who've been robbing the American people blind. [12:30] And that includes a whole lot of folks in this town and folks across the country. [12:39] So, Senator Jeffries, the DNC is deciding, you know, they're starting this discussion. [12:43] Order the presidential primaries, 28. [12:48] I want to know where you are standing on that. [12:50] Do you view this as, like, tipping the balance of power in favor of one fact in your party or another? [12:58] Yeah, it seems that the discussions to date have been robust and have been comprehensive. [13:08] And we'll see what they come up with over the next couple of days in terms of the Rules Committee. [13:12] And then, ultimately, I think it has to go to the entire body of the DNC at some point in August. [13:19] I haven't expressed a public position other than making clear I support Jim Clyburn's view [13:26] that South Carolina should clearly play a preeminent role, as it has done now for several presidential cycles [13:40] in terms of the early nominating process, particularly in an environment where we've seen the Supreme Court unleash Jim Crow-like tactics in the Deep South, [13:57] trying to undermine the ability of African Americans to select the candidates of their choice. [14:04] Have you been on the Saudi Arabia deal of the presidents, and even if not, what's your reward? [14:12] Yeah, I have not been briefed on the so-called nuclear deal with the president. [14:16] And it's hard to know. [14:17] He's announced how many different ceasefires Donald Trump? [14:20] How many different ceasefires has he announced during the course of the reckless and costly war of choice in Iran? [14:28] Is there anything that he says, particularly when it relates to so-called agreements, that we can take seriously? [14:34] And so any responsible president actually would have provided a briefing through his cabinet secretaries in advance of any sort of public proclamation. [14:48] But, you know, this is how Donald Trump behaves. [14:52] He's always chasing attention. [14:54] I mean, he disgraced himself after the World Cup final. [14:58] Looked like the old man in a club that no one wanted around. [15:03] And he's the only one that couldn't figure it out. [15:08] So we can't, there's nothing that he's saying right now that any of us can take seriously. [15:13] And that's unfortunate because he's gotten us involved in a war that has now cost the lives of 18 brave service members in Iran. [15:24] We're getting closer to Debbie Wasserman Schultz's primary in Florida. [15:28] Are you planning to endorse the conference? [15:30] I'm looking forward to getting involved in the August primaries, of which there will be primaries on August 4th. [15:40] There will be primaries on August 11th. [15:42] And then the Florida primaries will be in August 18th. [15:47] And as I've said repeatedly, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz has been a highly effective member of the United States Congress and a valuable member of both the leadership team and the House Democratic caucus. [16:03] And I have more to say about that race and some of the other races in August where we haven't weighed in yet sometime soon. [16:11] Can you clarify exactly what that means? Is that cabinet officials, but also corporations? [16:30] Like how are the committees of jurisdiction already kind of starting to think about what Democrats to do? [16:36] Not just thinking about who to target here, but also how are you making sure that white Democrats are out on the campaign trail talking about these targets? [16:45] They don't potentially over promise to the constituents who or how they make sure they are. [16:53] Our commitment to the American people is pretty simple. [16:56] We will hold the crooks accountable. [16:59] That's exactly what the American people want to see done, because the corruption that has occurred over the last 18 plus months is out of control. [17:10] The most corrupt administration in American history is not even close in terms of who may fall second in that regard. [17:20] and there have been a lot of folks across this country who made the decision early on to bend [17:27] the knee to Donald Trump and if they've gotten themselves involved in corrupt dealings undermining [17:36] the best interests of the American people then they should be held accountable and we have a [17:43] responsibility as a separate and co-equal branch of government to serve as a check and balance on [17:50] an out-of-control president and to make sure we're exposing anyone who may be working with that out [18:00] of control administration in this instance the Trump cartel undermining the best interests of [18:07] the American people look it's clear to us that if you've got people in government who are focused [18:14] more on enriching themselves their family their friends and their big donors then they're not [18:20] focused on making life better for the American people and that's part of the problem that we [18:24] have right now that we've got a president and others who've shown no interest in improving [18:31] the quality of life of the American people and that's not speculative Donald Trump has said it [18:38] repeatedly in his own words Donald Trump has said the affordability crisis is a hoax Donald Trump has [18:46] said he does not think about he doesn't give a damn in my view does not think about the personal [18:55] financial situation of the American people his words not mine Donald Trump has said he loves [19:01] the inflation Donald Trump has said we're so busy fighting wars we don't have money for daycare [19:10] Medicare and Medicaid Donald Trump said that and so clearly he's got other things on his mind [19:19] so does the administration so do house republicans this is why things have gotten worse in this country [19:27] the Trump economy is a disaster everyday Americans are drowning in the Trump economy and that's why we're [19:35] committed as house Democrats to fighting for an affordable America to make sure in this country [19:42] when you work hard when you play by the rules you can live a comfortable life an affordable life and live [19:50] the good life and we know how that looks good paying job good housing good health care good education for [19:57] your children and then when it's all said and done a good retirement more than 18 months into Donald Trump's [20:04] presidential term the verdict is clear Donald Trump and House Republicans have failed the American [20:15] people costs having gone down in the United States of America costs have gone up ice is completely and [20:23] totally out of control spending billions of taxpayer dollars to brutalize and kill American citizens [20:32] and to violently target law-abiding immigrants the Trump tariffs have costs the American people thousands [20:41] of dollars per year and additional expense Republicans have enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American [20:48] history and as a result hospitals nursing homes and community-based health centers all across the country [20:56] particularly in rural America are on the brink of closure Republicans have refused to extend the [21:05] Affordable Care Act tax credits putting in jeopardy the health insurance of more than 20 million Americans [21:11] and causing premiums to skyrocket in some instances more than a thousand dollars in additional expense per [21:22] month Donald Trump and Republicans have launched a reckless war of choice in the Middle East that hasn't [21:32] made America safer but that has resulted in the tragic death of 18 brave service members hundreds more have been [21:46] seriously injured including confronting the possibility of traumatic brain injury for the rest of [21:58] their lives more than 100 billion dollars in taxpayer money has been wasted by Donald Trump over in the Middle East a [22:08] war that he promised never to get us into and yet one of the main things that has changed as a result of that reckless [22:20] and costly war of choice operation epic failure is that gas prices have dramatically increased and are now north of four [22:32] dollars and eighteen cents per gallon across the country Donald Trump and Republicans have failed the [22:40] American people which is why they clearly are on the run and are on the verge of losing control of the House of [22:49] Representatives in many instances Republicans have already lost control of the floor of the House of [22:56] Representatives as Democrats just demonstrated once again by successfully passing a war powers resolution [23:04] as part of our continuing effort to bring Donald Trump's reckless war of choice in the Middle East to a close [23:14] House Democrats House Democrats are fighting for an affordable America and as we return home to our [23:22] districts all across the country we will make clear to the American people that our promise to them is to lower [23:33] the cost of groceries gas and housing our promise to the American people is that we will fight for affordable [23:44] health care for every single American and our promise to the American people is that we will hold the [23:52] crooks accountable if you're a crook in the United States of America and you've been stealing from the [24:01] American people we're coming after you so we can deliver a government of the people by the people [24:13] and for the people questions with what's happened in Iran now will Democrats recalibrate their message on [24:22] Iran will we see ads on Iran going into the midterm we don't have to recalibrate our message we've been [24:28] opposed to Donald Trump's reckless and costly war of choice in the Middle East from the very beginning and [24:38] what's clear now is that the overwhelming majority of the American people reject this war understand it was [24:47] completely and totally unnecessary that Donald Trump promised not to start forever wars but to stop them and [24:56] and instead turned around and in the Middle East has done the exact opposite so we're going to continue [25:03] as we've done once again forcefully on the floor today to make clear that this Trump Republican war in [25:11] Iran needs to come to an end immediately complete and total confidence in Susan Del Bene her leadership of [25:30] the DCCC and as a result of that leadership I'm confident we're going to take back control of the [25:35] House of Representatives in November hold on hold on hold on possibly some committee chairmanships [25:49] I'm just curious I know seniority has been a priority of the Democratic caucus for a long time do you [25:55] still see seniority as a factor or even the most important factor in determining who leads committees [26:01] it's never been the only factor it's always been a factor seniority is really experience experience [26:09] should translate into whether you've been able to deliver effectively in leading the committee and [26:17] the caucus is going to work its will as we move forward at the end of the day we can't put the cart [26:24] before the horse we got to still go out and win this thing in November and we're going to do everything [26:32] possible to do just that we have great candidates all across the country DCCC once again just announced [26:38] second quarter we out raised the Republican National Campaign Committee House Majority PAC has had a [26:48] record-breaking six months in the on year on top of a record-breaking off year and clearly the environment [27:01] has repeatedly demonstrated by public opinion survey after public opinion survey most recently from Fox [27:09] News all point in the same direction but we're not taking anything for granted we're going to keep our foot [27:17] on the gas pedal run through the finish line to try to do what has to be done for the American people [27:23] and then if we're in a position to organize heading into the majority in the 120th congress next year [27:33] then that's what we'll do do you agree with that the federal government should apply with the ICC's arrest [27:42] warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu I haven't talked to him about this issue he's been very [27:51] vocal on the issue I continue to maintain the position that one we've got to figure out how to move things [28:00] in a better direction in the Middle East and for me that means a safe and secure Israel as a Jewish and [28:09] democratic state living side by side in peace and prosperity with an independent Palestinian state [28:17] that provides dignity self-determination and respect for the Palestinian people [28:27] today is going to be at the EPA rolling out a payer protection pledge where she says [28:33] AI companies are going to be making commitments to lower costs and protect consumers from the cost of [28:40] data centers being built in their neighborhoods my question is do you think that a commitment [28:45] a pledge to the Trump administration is sufficient on this issue a lot of consumers are concerned about not only the [28:52] economic impacts of data centers being built in their neighborhoods but the environmental [28:56] is that something that you think can be subdued with a commitment or is that something that congress [29:02] is going to have to do legislating Congress is ultimately going to have to legislate in this area [29:08] with respect to artificial intelligence generally we want to make sure obviously that America can continue to [29:16] lead in the race to innovate in this space while at the same period of time ensuring [29:25] that we are vigilantly protecting the quality of life of the American people you know under the leadership [29:33] of Ted Lieu Josh Gottheimer and Valerie Fouché we have been engaging with stakeholders all across the [29:42] country to be prepared to actually legislate in a serious way moving forward on all of these issues [29:51] because Donald Trump and the Republicans have dropped the ball thanks [29:57] speaker Johnson's almost taken a page out of your been talking about similarly you know team normal [30:03] versus crazy as it relates to communism how do you break through that it doesn't seem to be working [30:11] if you actually look at the reaction of the American people in terms of who is on the verge of taking [30:17] back control of the House of Representatives these people are desperate they're flailing all over the place [30:24] because Republicans have failed to deliver a single thing that makes life better for the American [30:29] people in fact what they've consistently delivered is breaking promises that's what the Republican track [30:38] record shows that's why they're in deep trouble in so many ways Republicans promised to lower the high [30:46] cost of living on day one costs having gone down they've gone up Republicans promised that immigration [30:53] enforcement in this country was going to target the worst of the worst instead ICE is spending billions [31:00] of dollars of taxpayer money to brutalize or kill American citizens and to violently target law-abiding [31:08] immigrant families Republicans promised to love and cherish Medicaid and then turned around and enacted [31:15] the largest cut to Medicaid in American history ripping health care away from more than 14 million [31:21] Americans Republicans promise not to start endless wars in the Middle East but to stop them and then turned [31:28] around and got us involved in this reckless and costly war of choice in Iran and gas prices are skyrocketing [31:36] out of control in an economy that is suffocating and drowning the American people and so I haven't really [31:47] followed all of the hyperbole that's come out of Mike Johnson and Steve Scalise and others because I don't think [31:58] the American people are taking it seriously and it's certainly the case that the extraordinary candidates [32:06] that are running in districts all across America including Kate Conley in New York, Rebecca Bennett in New Jersey, [32:17] Joanna Mendoza in Arizona, three extraordinary patriotic brave women combat veterans can't be painted as [32:31] anti-American and the Republicans know it but everything else that they've tried up until this point [32:38] has failed and this effort to label us as communists is going to fail as well. [32:44] Our view remains the same in terms of arriving at a spending agreement in September. We're not down with [33:19] the my way or the highway Republican approach that has gotten them nowhere and I don't know why they continue [33:25] to go back to that playbook. Even John Thune has said with respect to the Republican continuing resolution [33:35] related to the upcoming fiscal year that that spending bill is dead on arrival in the Senate. [33:43] Chuck Schumer didn't say that exclusively. John Thune did. So Mike Johnson, House Republicans, [33:50] they're not even on the same page with members of their own party. The my way or the highway Republican [33:56] approach will continue to crash and burn. It will fail and so our view is the appropriators should sit [34:04] down led by Rosa DeLauro on our side and enter into a bipartisan conversation about reaching an agreement [34:14] that is actually designed to meet the needs of the American people. And if that can't be done in advance [34:21] of September 30th, then we should enter into a bipartisan continuing resolution that gives the appropriators the [34:28] space to actually enact a spending bill at some point prior to the end of this calendar year that [34:37] lifts up the health, the safety, and the economic well-being of the American people. [34:43] There was a meeting yesterday with the BPCC about messaging for district work period. Can you share what? [34:51] Well, I'm thankful for all of the work that's been done [34:55] by the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. On Sunday, we will be launching an effort [35:03] connected to our commitment to fight for an affordable America and have 100 days of action [35:14] beginning this Sunday, July 26, making clear to the American people that we're focused on lowering [35:24] the cost of groceries and gas and housing. We're committed to a country that provides affordable [35:35] health care for every American. And we also are committed as Democrats to hold the crooks accountable, [35:43] who've been robbing the American people blind. And that includes a whole lot of folks in this town [35:51] and folks across the country. Leader Jeffries, the DNC is deciding, you know, they're starting this [36:02] discussion of order, the presidential prime. I want to know where you are standing on that. Do you view [36:10] this as like tipping the balance of power in favor of one fact or another? What do you think of this? [36:17] Yeah, it seems that the discussions to date have been robust and have been comprehensive. And we'll see [36:26] what they come up with over the next couple of days in terms of the rules committee. And then ultimately, [36:31] I think it has to go to the entire body of the DNC at some point in August. I haven't expressed a [36:38] public position other than making clear. I support Jim Clyburn's view that South Carolina should clearly be [36:49] play a preeminent role as it has done now for several presidential cycles in terms of the early [37:02] nominating process, particularly in an environment where we've seen the Supreme Court unleash Jim Crow [37:12] like tactics in the Deep South, trying to undermine the ability of African Americans to select the [37:21] candidates of their choice. Yeah, I have not been briefed on the so-called nuclear deal with the [37:35] president. And it's hard to know. He's announced how many different ceasefires, Donald Trump, [37:39] how many different ceasefires has he announced during the course of the reckless and costly war [37:45] of choice in Iran? Is there anything that he says, particularly when it relates to so-called agreements [37:51] that we can take seriously? And so any responsible president actually would have provided a briefing [38:00] through his cabinet secretaries in advance of any sort of public proclamation. But, you know, [38:08] this is how Donald Trump behaves. He's always chasing attention. I mean, he disgraced himself [38:15] after the World Cup final. Looked like the old man in a club that no one wanted around. And he's the only [38:24] one that couldn't figure it out. So I, we can't, there's nothing that he's saying right now that any [38:30] of us can take seriously. And that's unfortunate because he's gotten us involved in a war that has [38:36] now cost the lives of 18 brave service members in Iran. We're getting closer to Debbie, Debbie [38:44] Wasserman Schultz primary in Florida. Are you planning to endorse the company? I'm looking forward to [38:50] getting involved in the August primaries of which there will be primaries on August 4th. There'll be [38:59] primaries on August 11th and then the Florida primaries will be in August 18th. And as I've [39:07] said repeatedly, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz has been a highly effective member of the United [39:14] States Congress and a valuable member of both the leadership team and the House Democratic Caucus. [39:21] And I have more to say about that race and some of the other races in August where we haven't weighed [39:28] in yet sometime soon. Exactly what that means is that the cabinet officials, but also corporations, [39:48] like how are the committees of jurisdiction already kind of starting to think about what [39:53] Democrats can do, thinking about who to target here, but also how are you making sure that white [40:00] Democrats are out on the campaign trail talking about these targets? They don't potentially over [40:06] promise to their constituents who or how. Our commitment to the American people is pretty [40:13] simple. We will hold the crooks accountable. That's exactly what the American people want to see done [40:20] because the corruption that has occurred over the last 18 plus months is out of control. The most [40:28] corrupt administration in American history is not even close in terms of who may fall second in that [40:37] regard. And there have been a lot of folks across this country who made the decision early on to bend [40:45] the knee to Donald Trump. And if they've gotten themselves involved in corrupt dealings undermining the [40:54] best interests of the American people, then they should be held accountable. And we have a responsibility [41:02] as a separate and co-equal branch of government to serve as a check and balance on and out of control [41:10] president and to make sure we're exposing anyone who may be working with that out of control [41:18] administration. In this instance, the Trump cartel undermining the best interests of the American [41:26] people. Look, it's clear to us that if you've got people in government who are focused more on enriching [41:34] themselves, their family, their friends, and their big donors, then they're not focused on making life [41:39] better for the American people. And that's part of the problem that we have right now, that we've got a [41:44] president and others who've shown no interest in improving the quality of life of the American [41:51] people. And that's not speculative. Donald Trump has said it repeatedly in his own words. Donald Trump [41:59] has said the affordability crisis is a hoax. Donald Trump has said he does not think about, he doesn't [42:08] give a damn in my view, does not think about the personal financial situation of the American people. His [42:16] words, not mine. Donald Trump has said he loves the inflation. Donald Trump has said we're so busy [42:23] fighting wars, we don't have money for daycare, Medicare and Medicaid. Donald Trump said that. And so [42:35] clearly he's got other things on his mind. So does the administration. So do House Republicans. This is [42:42] why things have gotten worse in this country. The Trump economy is a disaster. Everyday Americans are [42:48] drowning in the Trump economy. And that's why we're committed as House Democrats to fighting for an [42:56] affordable America to make sure in this country, when you work hard, when you play by the rules, [43:03] you can live a comfortable life in affordable life and live the good life. And we know how that looks [43:11] good paying job, good housing, good health care, good education for your children. And then when it's all [43:16] said and done, a good retirement. More than 18 months into Donald Trump's presidential term, [43:25] the verdict is clear. Donald Trump and House Republicans have failed the American people. [43:33] Costs having gone down in the United States of America, costs have gone up. [43:40] ICE is completely and totally out of control, spending billions of taxpayer dollars to brutalize and kill [43:49] American citizens and to violently target law abiding immigrants. The Trump tariffs have cost the [43:58] American people thousands of dollars per year in additional expense. Republicans have enacted the [44:04] largest cut to Medicaid in American history. And as a result, hospitals, nursing homes and community [44:10] based health centers all across the country, particularly in rural America, are on the brink of closure. [44:19] Republicans have refused to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, putting in jeopardy the health [44:27] insurance of more than 20 million Americans and causing premiums to skyrocket, in some instances, [44:35] more than $1,000 in additional expense per month. Donald Trump and Republicans have launched a reckless [44:46] war of choice in the Middle East that hasn't made America safer, but that has resulted [44:55] in the tragic death of 18 brave service members. Hundreds more have been seriously injured, including [45:08] confronting the possibility of traumatic brain injury for the rest of their lives. More than $100 [45:19] billion in taxpayer money has been wasted by Donald Trump over in the Middle East, a war that he promised [45:28] never to get us into. And yet one of the main things that has changed as a result of that reckless and [45:38] costly war of choice operation epic failure is that gas prices have dramatically increased and are now [45:48] north of $4 and 18 cents per gallon across the country. Donald Trump and Republicans have failed [45:57] the American people, which is why they clearly are on the run and are on the verge of losing control [46:07] of the House of the House of Representatives. In many instances, Republicans have already lost control [46:12] of the floor of the House of Representatives, as Democrats just demonstrated once again by successfully [46:19] passing a war powers resolution as part of our continuing effort to bring Donald Trump's reckless [46:28] war of choice in the Middle East to a close. House Democrats are fighting for an affordable America, [46:39] and as we return home to our districts all across the country, we will make clear to the American [46:46] people that our promise to them is to lower the cost of groceries, gas and housing. Our promise to the [46:57] American people is that we will fight for affordable health care for every single American, and our promise [47:06] to the American people is that we will hold the crooks accountable. If you're a crook in the United States of [47:16] America and you've been stealing from the American people, we're coming after you so we can deliver [47:27] a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Questions? [47:33] Mr. Leader, good morning. With what's happened in Iran now, will Democrats recalibrate their message [47:40] on Iran? Will we see ads on Iran going into the midterm? We don't have to recalibrate our message. [47:46] We've been opposed to Donald Trump's reckless and costly war of choice in the Middle East from the [47:53] very beginning. And what's clear now is that the overwhelming majority of the American people [48:02] reject this war, understand it was completely and totally unnecessary, that Donald Trump promised not [48:11] to start forever wars but to stop them, and instead turned around and in the Middle East has done the [48:18] exact opposite. So we're going to continue as we've done once again forcefully on the floor today [48:25] to make clear that this Trump-Republican war in Iran needs to come to an end immediately. [48:42] I have complete and total confidence in Susan Del Bene, her leadership of the DCCC, [48:49] and as a result of that leadership, I'm confident we're going to take back control of the House of [48:53] Representatives in November. Hold on, hold on, hold on. [48:58] Thank you. We're going to take possibly some contested committee chairmanships. I'm just curious, [49:09] I know seniority has been a priority of the Democratic caucus for a long time. Do you still see seniority [49:14] as a factor or even the most important factor in determining who leads committees? [49:18] It's never been the only factor. It's always been a factor. Seniority is really experience. [49:26] Experience should translate into whether you've been able to deliver effectively [49:31] in leading the committee, and the caucus is going to work its will as we move forward. [49:40] At the end of the day, we can't put the cart before the horse. We've got to still go out and win this [49:45] thing in November, and we're going to do everything possible to do just that. We have great candidates [49:52] all across the country. DCCC once again just announced, second quarter, we out-raised the Republican [49:58] National Campaign Committee. House Majority PAC has had a record-breaking six months in the on-year on [50:11] top of a record-breaking off-year, and clearly the environment, as repeatedly demonstrated by public [50:22] opinion survey after public opinion survey, most recently from Fox News, all point in the same [50:30] direction. But we're not taking anything for granted. We're going to keep our foot on the gas [50:36] pedal, run through the finish line to try to do what has to be done for the American people. And then, [50:42] if we're in a position to organize, heading into the majority in the 120th Congress next year, [50:51] then that's what we'll do. [50:52] Do you agree with Zora Mamdani that the federal apply with the ICC's arrest warrant for Israeli [51:01] Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu? [51:03] I haven't talked to him about this issue. He's been very vocal on the issue. I continue to maintain [51:12] the position that, one, we've got to figure out how to move things in a better direction in the Middle [51:21] East. And for me, that means a safe and secure Israel as a Jewish and democratic state living [51:29] side by side in peace and prosperity with an independent Palestinian state that provides [51:35] dignity, self-determination, and respect for the Palestinian people. [51:41] My question is, do you think that a commitment, a pledge to the Trump administration is sufficient [52:06] on this issue? A lot of consumers are concerned about not only the economic impacts of data [52:11] centers being built in better environments, but the environmental impacts of something that you think [52:15] can be subdued with a commitment, or is that something that Congress is going to have to do legislating? [52:22] Congress is ultimately going to have to legislate in this area with respect to artificial intelligence [52:30] generally. We want to make sure, obviously, that America can continue to lead in the race to innovate [52:39] in this space, while at the same period of time ensuring that we are vigilantly [52:45] protecting the quality of life of the American people. You know, under the leadership of Ted [52:52] Liu, Josh Gottheimer, and Valerie Fouché, we have been engaging with stakeholders all across the country [53:01] to be prepared to actually legislate in a serious way moving forward on all of these issues, because [53:10] Donald Trump and the Republicans have dropped the ball. Thanks. [53:15] It doesn't seem to be working if you actually look at the reaction of the American people in terms of [53:33] who is on the verge of taking back control of the House of Representatives. These people are desperate. [53:38] They're flailing all over the place, because Republicans have failed to deliver a single thing [53:46] that makes life better for the American people. In fact, what they've consistently delivered is [53:52] breaking promises. That's what the Republican track record shows. That's why they're in deep trouble [54:00] in so many ways. Republicans promised to lower the high cost of living on day one. Costs having gone down, [54:07] they've gone up. Republicans promised that immigration enforcement in this country was going to target [54:14] the worst of the worst. Instead, ICE is spending billions of dollars of taxpayer money to brutalize [54:21] or kill American citizens and to violently target law-abiding immigrant families. Republicans promise [54:28] to love and cherish Medicaid and then turned around and enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American [54:35] history, ripping health care away from more than 14 million Americans. Republicans promise not to start [54:43] endless wars in the Middle East, but to stop them and then turned around and got us involved in this [54:49] reckless and costly war of choice in Iran and gas prices are skyrocketing out of control in an economy [54:57] that is suffocating and drowning the American people. And so I haven't really followed all of the [55:09] hyperbole that's come out of Mike Johnson and Steve Scalise and others because I don't think the American [55:16] people are taking it seriously. And it's certainly the case that the extraordinary candidates [55:24] that are running in districts all across America, including Kate Conley in New York, Rebecca Bennett in New [55:35] Jersey, Joanna Mendoza in Arizona, three extraordinary patriotic brave women combat veterans can't be painted as [55:49] anti-American. And the Republicans know it, but everything else that they've tried up until this [55:55] point has failed. And this effort to label us as communists is going to fail as well. [56:03] Is that going to be a review of the language that explicitly zeroes out that [56:19] public review on the support of OCR in September and having to start coordinating with Schumer on [56:24] a strategy used to avoid a shutdown? [56:25] The view remains the same in terms of arriving at a spending agreement in September. [56:34] We're not down with the my way or the highway Republican approach. That has gotten them nowhere. [56:41] And I don't know why they continue to go back to that playbook. [56:46] Even John Thune has said with respect to the Republican continuing resolution related to [56:54] the upcoming fiscal year that that spending bill is dead on arrival in the Senate. [57:00] Chuck Schumer didn't say that exclusively. John Thune did. So Mike Johnson, House Republicans, [57:08] they're not even on the same page with members of their own party. [57:12] The my way or the highway Republican approach will continue to crash and burn. It will fail. [57:18] And so our view is the appropriators should sit down, led by Rosa DeLauro on our side, [57:26] and enter into a bipartisan conversation about reaching an agreement that is actually designed [57:33] to meet the needs of the American people. And if that can't be done in advance of September 30th, [57:40] then we should enter into a bipartisan continuing resolution that gives the appropriators the space [57:47] to actually enact a spending bill at some point prior to the end of this calendar year that lifts up [57:56] the health, the safety, and the economic well-being of the American people. [58:01] There was a meeting yesterday that you have messaging district work period. Can you share what? [58:09] Well, I'm thankful for all of the work that's been done by the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. [58:16] On Sunday, we will be launching an effort connected to our commitment to fight for an affordable America [58:29] and have 100 days of action beginning this Sunday, July 26, making clear to the American people that we're focused [58:39] on lowering the cost of groceries and gas and housing. We're committed to a country that provides [58:52] affordable health care for every American. And we also are committed as Democrats to hold the crooks [58:59] accountable who've been robbing the American people blind. And that includes a whole lot of folks in [59:08] this town and folks across the country. Leader Jeffries, the DNC is deciding, you know, they're [59:19] starting this discussion of order the presidential primaries. I want to know where you are standing [59:27] on that. Do you view this as like tipping the balance of power for one factor in the party or another? [59:33] Yeah, it seems that the discussions to date have been robust and have been comprehensive and we'll see [59:45] what they come up with over the next couple of days in terms of the rules committee. And then [59:48] ultimately, I think it has to go to the entire body of the DNC at some point in August. I haven't [59:55] expressed a public position other than making clear I support Jim Clyburn's view that South Carolina [1:00:06] should clearly be play a preeminent role as it has done now for several presidential cycles [1:00:18] in terms of the early nominating process, particularly in an environment where we've [1:00:25] seen the Supreme Court unleash Jim Crow like tactics in the Deep South, trying to undermine the ability [1:00:37] of African Americans to select the candidates of their choice. [1:00:40] Have you been briefed on this Saudi Arabia nuclear deal of the presidents and even if not, [1:00:48] what's your reward? Yeah, I have not been briefed on the so-called nuclear deal with the president. [1:00:53] And it's hard to know. He's announced how many different ceasefires, Donald Trump, [1:00:57] how many different ceasefires has he announced during the course of the reckless and costly war [1:01:03] of choice in Iran? Is there anything that he says, particularly when it relates to so-called agreements [1:01:09] that we can take seriously? And so any responsible president actually would have provided a briefing [1:01:17] through his cabinet secretaries in advance of any sort of public proclamation. But, you know, [1:01:26] this is how Donald Trump behaves. He's always chasing attention. I mean, he disgraced himself after the [1:01:34] World Cup final. Looked like the old man in a club that no one wanted around. And he's the only one that [1:01:42] couldn't figure it out. So we can't, there's nothing that he's saying right now that any of us can take [1:01:49] seriously. And that's unfortunate because he's gotten us involved in a war that has now cost the [1:01:55] lives of 18 brave service members in Iran. I'm looking forward to getting involved in the August [1:02:11] primaries, of which there will be primaries on August 4th. There'll be primaries on August 11th. [1:02:19] And then the Florida primaries will be in August 18th. And as I've said repeatedly, Congresswoman Debbie [1:02:27] Wasserman Schultz has been a highly effective member of the United States Congress and a [1:02:34] valuable member of both the leadership team and the House Democratic Caucus. And I have more to say [1:02:41] about that race and some of the other races in August where we haven't weighed in yet sometime soon. [1:02:47] Exactly what that means is that the cabinet officials, but also corporations, like how are the [1:03:07] committees of jurisdiction? We're already kind of starting to think about what Democrats to do, [1:03:12] not just thinking about who to target here, but also how are you making sure that when Democrats are [1:03:19] out on the campaign trail talking about these targets, they don't potentially over promise to [1:03:25] their constituents who or how they're making it? Our commitment to the American people [1:03:31] is pretty simple. We will hold the crooks accountable. That's exactly what the American [1:03:37] people want to see done because the corruption that has occurred over the last 18 plus months is [1:03:43] out of control. The most corrupt administration in American history is not even close in terms of [1:03:53] who may fall second in that regard. And there've been a lot of folks across this country who made the [1:04:02] decision early on to bend the knee to Donald Trump. And if they've gotten themselves involved in [1:04:08] corrupt dealings undermining the best interests of the American people, then they should be held [1:04:17] accountable. And we have a responsibility as a separate and co-equal branch of government [1:04:23] to serve as a check and balance on an out of control president and to make sure we're exposing anyone [1:04:32] who may be working with that out of control administration. In this instance, the Trump cartel undermining [1:04:42] the best interests of the American people. Look, it's clear to us that if you've got people in [1:04:48] government who are focused more on enriching themselves, their family, their friends and [1:04:54] their big donors, then they're not focused on making life better for the American people. [1:04:58] And that's part of the problem that we have right now, that we've got a president and others who've shown [1:05:04] no interest in improving the quality of life of the American people. And that's not speculative. [1:05:13] Donald Trump has said it repeatedly. In his own words, Donald Trump has said the affordability [1:05:18] crisis is a hoax. Donald Trump has said he does not think about he doesn't give a damn. In my view, [1:05:28] does not think about the personal financial situation of the American people, his words, [1:05:35] not mine. Donald Trump has said he loves the inflation. Donald Trump has said we're so busy fighting [1:05:42] wars. We don't have money for daycare, Medicare and Medicaid. Donald Trump said that. And so clearly [1:05:53] he's got other things on his mind. So does the administration. So do House Republicans. This is why [1:06:00] things have gotten worse in this country. The Trump economy is a disaster. Everyday Americans are [1:06:06] drowning in the Trump economy. And that's why we're committed as House Democrats to fighting for an [1:06:14] affordable America to make sure in this country, when you work hard, when you play by the rules, [1:06:21] you can live a comfortable life, an affordable life and live the good life. And we know how that looks [1:06:29] good paying job, good housing, good health care, good education for your children. And then when it's [1:06:34] all said and done, a good retirement. More than 18 months into Donald Trump's presidential term, [1:06:43] the verdict is clear. Donald Trump and House Republicans have failed the American people. [1:06:52] Costs having gone down in the United States of America, costs have gone up. [1:06:58] ICE is completely and totally out of control, spending billions of taxpayer dollars to brutalize and kill [1:07:07] American citizens and to violently target law abiding immigrants. The Trump tariffs have cost [1:07:15] the American people thousands of dollars per year in additional expense. Republicans have enacted the [1:07:22] largest cut to Medicaid in American history. And as a result, hospitals, nursing homes and community [1:07:28] based health centers all across the country, particularly in rural America, are on the brink of [1:07:36] closure. Republicans have refused to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, putting in jeopardy the health [1:07:45] insurance of more than 20 million Americans and causing premiums to skyrocket. In some instances, [1:07:53] more than $1,000 in additional expense per month. Donald Trump and Republicans have launched a reckless [1:08:04] war of choice in the Middle East that hasn't made America safer, but that has resulted in the tragic death [1:08:16] of 18 brave service members. Hundreds more have been seriously injured, including confronting the [1:08:28] possibility of traumatic brain injury for the rest of their lives. More than $100 billion in taxpayer money [1:08:39] has been wasted by Donald Trump over in the Middle East, a war that he promised never to get us into. [1:08:50] And yet one of the main things that has changed as a result of that reckless and costly war of choice [1:08:59] operation epic failure is that gas prices have dramatically increased and are now north of $4.18 [1:09:11] per gallon across the country. Donald Trump and Republicans have failed the American people, which is [1:09:18] why they clearly are on the run and are on the verge of losing control of the House of Representatives. [1:09:26] In many instances, Republicans have already lost control of the Florida House of Representatives, [1:09:33] as Democrats just demonstrated once again by successfully passing a war powers resolution. [1:09:41] As part of our continuing effort to bring Donald Trump's reckless war of choice in the Middle East [1:09:49] to a close, House Democrats are fighting for an affordable America. And as we return home to our [1:09:58] districts all across the country, we will make clear to the American people that our promise to them [1:10:07] is to lower the cost of groceries, gas and housing. Our promise to the American people is that we will [1:10:17] fight for affordable health care for every single American. And our promise to the American people [1:10:26] is that we will hold the crooks accountable. If you're a crook in the United States of America and [1:10:35] you've been stealing from the American people, we're coming after you so we can deliver a government [1:10:47] of the people, by the people and for the people. Questions? [1:10:51] Mr. Leader, good morning. With what's happened in Iran now, will Democrats recalibrate their message on [1:10:58] Iran? Will we see ads on Iran going into the midterm? [1:11:01] We don't have to recalibrate our message. We've been opposed to Donald Trump's reckless and costly [1:11:08] war of choice in the Middle East from the very beginning. And what's clear now is that the [1:11:16] overwhelming majority of the American people reject this war, understand it was completely and totally [1:11:25] unnecessary, that Donald Trump promised not to start forever wars, but to stop them, [1:11:33] and instead turned around and in the Middle East has done the exact opposite. [1:11:38] So we're going to continue as we've done once again, forcefully on the floor today [1:11:43] to make clear that this Trump Republican war in Iran needs to come to an end immediately. [1:11:59] I have complete and total confidence in Susan Del Bene, her leadership of the DCCC. And as a result of [1:12:08] that leadership, I'm confident we're going to take back control of the House of Representatives [1:12:12] in November. Thanks. Hold on, hold on, hold on. [1:12:16] Thank you. Possibly some committee chairmanships. I'm just curious. I know seniority has been a [1:12:28] priority of the Democratic caucus for a long time. Do you still see seniority as a factor or even the [1:12:33] most important factor in determining who leads committees? It's never been the only factor. It's [1:12:40] always been a factor. Seniority is really experience. Experience should translate into whether you've been [1:12:46] able to deliver effectively in leading the committee. And the caucus is going to work its will as we move [1:12:57] forward. At the end of the day, we can't put the cart before the horse. We got to still go out and win [1:13:03] this thing in November. And we're going to do everything possible to do just that. We have great [1:13:10] candidates all across the country. DCCC once again, just announced second quarter, we outraised the [1:13:15] Republican National Campaign Committee. House Majority PAC has had a record-breaking six months [1:13:29] in the on-year on top of a record-breaking off-year. And clearly, the environment, as repeatedly [1:13:38] demonstrated by public opinion survey after public opinion survey, most recently from Fox News, [1:13:47] all point in the same direction. But we're not taking anything for granted. We're going to keep our foot on [1:13:53] the gas pedal, run through the finish line to try to do what has to be done for the American people. [1:13:59] And then, if we're in a position to organize, heading into the majority in the 120th Congress next year, [1:14:09] then that's what we'll do. Do you agree with Zoran Mamdani that the federal government should apply [1:14:17] with the ICC's arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu? I haven't talked to him [1:14:23] about this issue. He's been very vocal on the issue. I continue to maintain the position. [1:14:32] that, one, we've got to figure out how to move things in a better direction in the Middle East. [1:14:40] And for me, that means a safe and secure Israel as a Jewish and democratic state living side by [1:14:47] side in peace and prosperity with an independent Palestinian state that provides dignity, [1:14:55] self-determination, and respect for the Palestinian people. [1:14:59] Today is going to be at the EPA World Rate Pay and Protection Pledge, where she said AI companies are [1:15:10] going to be making commitments to lower costs and protect consumers from the cost of data [1:15:16] centers being built in their neighborhoods. My question is, do you think that a commitment, [1:15:21] a pledge to the Trump administration is sufficient on this issue? A lot of consumers are concerned [1:15:26] about not only the economic impacts of data centers being built in their neighborhoods, [1:15:31] but the environmental impact. Is that something that you think can be subdued with a commitment, [1:15:37] or is that something that Congress is going to have to do legislating? [1:15:40] Congress is ultimately going to have to legislate in this area with respect to artificial intelligence [1:15:48] generally. We want to make sure, obviously, that America can continue to lead in the race to innovate in [1:15:58] this space while at the same period of time ensuring that we are vigilantly protecting the quality of [1:16:05] life of the American people. You know, under the leadership of Ted Lieu, Josh Gottheimer, [1:16:12] and Valerie Fouché, we have been engaging with stakeholders all across the country to be prepared [1:16:20] to actually legislate in a serious way moving forward on all of these issues because Donald Trump [1:16:29] and the Republicans have dropped the ball. Thanks. [1:16:33] The secret nonsense almost taking a page out of your book lately and talking about similarly, [1:16:38] you know, team normal versus team crazy as it relates to communism. How do you break through that [1:16:43] message? It doesn't seem to be working. If you actually look at the reaction of the American people [1:16:50] in terms of who is on the verge of taking back control of the House of Representatives, these people [1:16:55] are desperate. They're flailing all over the place because Republicans have failed to deliver [1:17:02] a single thing that makes life better for the American people. In fact, what they've consistently [1:17:08] delivered is breaking promises. That's what the Republican track record shows. That's why they're [1:17:16] in deep trouble in so many ways. Republicans promised to lower the high cost of living on day [1:17:23] one. Costs having gone down, they've gone up. Republicans promised that immigration enforcement [1:17:29] in this country was going to target the worst of the worst. Instead, ICE is spending billions of [1:17:36] dollars of taxpayer money to brutalize or kill American citizens and to violently target law-abiding [1:17:44] immigrant families. Republicans promised to love and cherish Medicaid and then turned around and enacted [1:17:51] the largest cut to Medicaid in American history, ripping health care away from more than 14 million [1:17:57] Americans. Republicans promised not to start endless wars in the Middle East, but to stop them and then [1:18:04] turned around and got us involved in this reckless and costly war of choice in Iran. And gas prices are [1:18:11] skyrocketing out of control in an economy that is suffocating and drowning the American people. And so I [1:18:22] haven't really followed all of the hyperbole that's come out of Mike Johnson and Steve Scalise and others [1:18:32] because I don't think the American people are taking it seriously. And it's certainly the case that the [1:18:39] extraordinary candidates that are running in districts all across America, including Kate Connolly [1:18:50] in New York, Rebecca Bennett in New Jersey, Joanna Mendoza in Arizona, three extraordinary patriotic [1:19:00] brave women combat veterans can't be painted as anti-American. And the Republicans know it, [1:19:11] but everything else that they've tried up until this point has failed. And this effort to label us [1:19:18] as communists is going to fail as well. View remains the same in terms of arriving at a spending [1:19:51] agreement in September. We're not down with the my way or the highway Republican approach that has [1:19:58] gotten them nowhere. And I don't know why they continue to go back to that playbook. Even John [1:20:04] Thune has said with respect to the Republican continuing resolution related to the upcoming [1:20:13] fiscal year, that that spending bill is dead on arrival in the Senate. Chuck Schumer didn't say [1:20:20] that exclusively. John Thune did. So Mike Johnson, House Republicans, they're not even on the same page [1:20:28] with members of their own party. The my way or the highway Republican approach will continue to crash [1:20:35] and burn. It will fail. And so our view is the appropriators should sit down led by Rosa DeLauro on [1:20:43] our side and enter into a bipartisan conversation about reaching an agreement that is actually designed [1:20:51] to meet the needs of the American people. And if that can't be done in advance of September 30th, [1:20:58] then we should enter into a bipartisan continuing resolution that gives the appropriators the space [1:21:05] to actually enact a spending bill at some point prior to the end of this calendar year that lifts up [1:21:14] the health, the safety and the economic well-being of the American people. There was a meeting yesterday [1:21:22] with the BPCC about messaging for the district work period. Can you share what? Well, I'm thankful for [1:21:30] all of the work that's been done by the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. On Sunday, [1:21:37] we will be launching an effort connected to our commitment to fight for an affordable America [1:21:47] and have 100 days of action beginning this Sunday, July 26, making clear to the American people that [1:21:56] we're focused on lowering the cost of groceries and gas and housing. We're committed to a country that [1:22:09] provides affordable health care for every American. And we also are committed as Democrats [1:22:16] to hold the crooks accountable who've been robbing the American people blind. And that includes [1:22:25] a whole lot of folks in this town and folks across the country. [1:22:33] Leader Jeffries, the DNC is deciding, you know, they're starting this discussion of order the [1:22:40] presidential primaries 28. I want to know where you are standing on that. Do you view this as like [1:22:46] tipping the balance of power in favor of one fact or another? What do you think of this? [1:22:53] Yeah, it seems that the discussions to date have been robust and have been comprehensive. And we'll [1:23:02] see what they come up with over the next couple of days in terms of the Rules Committee. And then [1:23:06] ultimately, I think it has to go to the entire body of the DNC at some point in August. I haven't [1:23:13] expressed a public position other than making clear. I support Jim Clyburn's view that South Carolina [1:23:24] should clearly be play a preeminent role as it has done now for several presidential cycles [1:23:36] in terms of the early nominating process, particularly in an environment where we've [1:23:43] seen the Supreme Court unleash Jim Crow like tactics in the Deep South, trying to undermine the ability [1:23:55] of African Americans to select the candidates of their choice. Have you been on this Saudi Arabia [1:24:03] deal of presidents and even if not, what's your report? Yeah, I have not been briefed on the so-called [1:24:09] nuclear deal with the president. And it's hard to know. He's announced how many different ceasefires [1:24:14] Donald Trump, how many different ceasefires has he announced during the course of the reckless and [1:24:21] costly war of choice in Iran? Is there anything that he says, particularly when it relates to so-called [1:24:26] agreements that we can take seriously? And so any responsible president actually would have provided [1:24:34] a briefing through his cabinet secretaries in advance of any sort of public proclamation. But, you know, [1:24:44] this is how Donald Trump behaves. He's always chasing attention. I mean, he disgraced himself after the [1:24:52] World Cup final. Looked like the old man in a club that no one wanted around. And he's the only one that [1:25:00] couldn't figure it out. So we can't, there's nothing that he's saying right now that any of us can take [1:25:07] seriously. And that's unfortunate because he's gotten us involved in a war that has now cost the [1:25:13] lives of 18 brave service members in Iran. We're getting closer to Debbie Wasserman's primary in [1:25:22] Florida. Are you planning to endorse the conference? I'm looking forward to getting involved in the August [1:25:29] primaries of which there will be primaries on August 4th. There'll be primaries on August 11th. And then [1:25:38] the Florida primaries will be in August 18th. And as I've said repeatedly, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman [1:25:45] Schultz has been a highly effective member of the United States Congress and a valuable member of both the [1:25:54] leadership team and the House Democratic Caucus. And I have more to say about that race and some of the [1:26:02] other races in August where we haven't weighed in yet sometime soon. Exactly what that means is that [1:26:21] cabinet officials, but also corporations, like how are the committees of jurisdiction, we're already [1:26:27] kind of starting to think about what Democrats to do, thinking about who to target here, but also [1:26:34] how are you making sure that when Democrats are out on the campaign field talking about these targets, [1:26:41] they don't potentially over promise to their constituents who or how they're making. Our commitment to the [1:26:48] American people is pretty simple. We will hold the crooks accountable. That's exactly what the [1:26:54] American people want to see done because the corruption that has occurred over the last 18 [1:27:00] plus months is out of control. The most corrupt administration in American history is not even close [1:27:10] in terms of who may fall second in that regard. And there've been a lot of folks across this country [1:27:19] who made the decision early on to bend the knee to Donald Trump. [1:27:24] And if they've gotten themselves involved in corrupt dealings, undermining the best interests [1:27:30] of the American people, then they should be held accountable. And we have a responsibility as a [1:27:38] separate and co-equal branch of government to serve as a check and balance on an out of control [1:27:46] president and to make sure we're exposing anyone who may be working with that out of control [1:27:54] administration. In this instance, the Trump cartel undermining the best interests of the American [1:28:02] people. Look, it's clear to us that if you've got people in government who are focused more on enriching [1:28:10] themselves, their family, their friends and their big donors, then they're not focused on making life [1:28:15] better for the American people. And that's part of the problem that we have right now that we've got a [1:28:20] president and others who've shown no interest in improving the quality of life of the American [1:28:27] people. And that's not speculative. Donald Trump has said it repeatedly in his own words. Donald Trump [1:28:35] has said the affordability crisis is a hoax. Donald Trump has said he does not think about he doesn't [1:28:44] give a damn. In my view, does not think about the personal financial situation of the American [1:28:51] people? His words, not mine. Donald Trump has said he loves the inflation. Donald Trump has said, [1:28:58] we're so busy fighting wars. We don't have money for daycare, Medicare and Medicaid. Donald Trump said [1:29:07] that. And so clearly he's got other things on his mind. So does the administration. So do House [1:29:16] Republicans. This is why things have gotten worse in this country. The Trump economy is a disaster. [1:29:23] Everyday Americans are drowning in the Trump economy. And that's why we're committed as House [1:29:31] Democrats to fighting for an affordable America to make sure in this country, when you work hard, [1:29:37] when you play by the rules, you can live a comfortable life, an affordable life and live the good life. [1:29:45] And we know how that looks. Good paying job, good housing, good health care, good education for your [1:29:51] children. And then when it's all said and done, a good retirement. More than 18 months into Donald Trump's [1:29:58] presidential term, the verdict is clear. Donald Trump and House Republicans have failed the American [1:30:09] people. Costs having gone down in the United States of America, costs have gone up. ICE is completely and [1:30:17] totally out of control, spending billions of taxpayer dollars to brutalize and kill American citizens [1:30:27] and to violently target law abiding immigrants. The Trump tariffs have cost the American people thousands [1:30:35] of dollars per year and additional expense. Republicans have enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in [1:30:42] American history. And as a result, hospitals, nursing homes and community based health centers all across the [1:30:49] country, particularly in rural America, are on the brink of closure. Republicans have refused to extend the [1:30:59] Affordable Care Act tax credits, putting in jeopardy the health insurance of more than 20 million Americans and causing premiums to [1:31:07] skyrocket. In some instances, more than $1,000 in additional expense per month. Donald Trump and Republicans [1:31:20] have launched a reckless war of choice in the Middle East that hasn't made America safer, but that has resulted [1:31:31] in the tragic death of 18 brave service members. Hundreds more have been seriously injured, including [1:31:44] confronting the possibility of traumatic brain injury for the rest of their lives. More than $100 billion [1:31:56] in taxpayer money has been wasted by Donald Trump over in the Middle East, a war that he promised never to [1:32:04] get us into. And yet one of the main things that has changed as a result of that reckless and costly war of [1:32:17] choice operation epic failure is that gas prices have dramatically increased and are now north of $4.18 [1:32:29] per gallon across the country. Donald Trump and Republicans have failed the American people, [1:32:36] which is why they clearly are on the run and are on the verge of losing control of the House of [1:32:43] Representatives. In many instances, Republicans have already lost control of the floor of the House of [1:32:49] Representatives as Democrats just demonstrated once again by successfully passing a war powers resolution [1:32:59] as part of our continuing effort to bring Donald Trump's reckless war of choice in the Middle East [1:33:07] to a close. House Democrats are fighting for an affordable America. And as we return home to our districts [1:33:17] all across the country, we will make clear to the American people that our promise to them is to lower [1:33:27] the cost of groceries, gas and housing. Our promise to the American people is that we will fight for [1:33:37] affordable health care for every single American. And our promise to the American people is that we will [1:33:46] hold the crooks accountable. If you're a crook in the United States of America and you've been stealing from [1:33:55] the American people, we're coming after you so we can deliver a government of the people, by the people [1:34:07] and for the people. Questions? Mr. Leader, good morning. With what's happened in Iran now, will Democrats [1:34:14] recalibrate their message on Iran? Will we see ads on Iran going into the midterm? We don't have to [1:34:20] recalibrate our message. We've been opposed to Donald Trump's reckless and costly war of choice in the [1:34:28] Middle East from the very beginning. And what's clear now is that the overwhelming majority of the [1:34:36] American people reject this war, understand it was completely and totally unnecessary, that Donald Trump [1:34:46] promised not to start forever wars, but to stop them and instead turned around and in the Middle East [1:34:53] has done the exact opposite. So we're going to continue as we've done once again forcefully on the [1:35:00] floor today to make clear that this Trump Republican war in Iran needs to come to an end immediately. [1:35:18] I have complete and total confidence in Susan Del Bene, her leadership of the DCCC, [1:35:25] and as a result of that leadership, I'm confident we're going to take back control of the House of [1:35:29] Representatives in November. Hold on, hold on, hold on. [1:35:34] Thank you. Possibly some contested committee chairmanships. Just curious, I know seniority has [1:35:46] been a priority of the Democratic caucus for a long time. Do you still see seniority as a factor or [1:35:51] even the most important factor in determining who leads committees? It's never been the only factor. [1:35:57] It's always been a factor. Seniority is really experience. Experience should translate into whether you've [1:36:04] been able to deliver effectively in leading the committee and the caucus is going to work its [1:36:13] will as we move forward. At the end of the day, we can't put the cart before the horse. We got to [1:36:19] still go out and win this thing in November and we're going to do everything possible to do just that. [1:36:27] We have great candidates all across the country. DCCC once again, just announced second quarter, [1:36:33] we out raised the Republican National Campaign Committee. House Majority PAC has had a record [1:36:43] breaking six months in the on year on top of a record breaking off year. And clearly, the environment [1:36:55] as repeatedly demonstrated by public opinion survey after public opinion survey, most recently from Fox [1:37:03] News, all point in the same direction. But we're not taking anything for granted. We're going to keep our [1:37:11] foot on the gas pedal, run through the finish line to try to do what has to be done for the American people. [1:37:17] And then if we're in a position to organize heading into the majority in the 120th Congress next year, [1:37:27] then that's what we'll do. Do you agree with Zoran Mamdan that the federal apply with the ICC's arrest warrant [1:37:37] for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu? I haven't talked to him about this issue. [1:37:44] He's been very vocal on the issue. I continue to maintain the position that one, we've got to figure [1:37:53] out how to move things in a better direction in the Middle East. And for me, that means a safe and [1:38:01] secure Israel as a Jewish and democratic state living side by side in peace and prosperity with an [1:38:08] independent Palestinian state that provides dignity, self-determination and respect for the Palestinian [1:38:17] people. [1:38:17] The EPA will repay your protection. AI companies are going to be [1:38:29] commitments to lower costs and protect consumers from the cost of data centers being built in their [1:38:35] neighborhoods. My question is, do you think that a commitment, a pledge to the Trump administration [1:38:41] is sufficient on this issue? A lot of consumers are concerned about not only the economic impacts of [1:38:47] data centers being built in their neighborhoods, but the environmental impact that you think [1:38:51] can be subdued with a commitment or is that something that Congress is going to have to do legislating? [1:38:58] Congress is ultimately going to have to legislate in this area with respect to artificial intelligence [1:39:06] generally. We want to make sure obviously that America can continue to lead [1:39:12] in the race to innovate in this space while at the same period of time, ensuring that we are [1:39:20] vigilantly protecting the quality of life of the American people. You know, under the leadership of [1:39:27] Ted Lieu, Josh Gottheimer and Valerie Fouché, we have been engaging with stakeholders all across the [1:39:36] country to be prepared to actually legislate in a serious way moving forward on all of these issues. [1:39:45] Because Donald Trump and the Republicans have dropped the ball. Thanks. [1:39:51] Speaker Johnson's almost taken a page out of your book lately and talking about similarly, [1:39:56] you know, a team normal versus crazy as communism. How do you break through that message? [1:40:03] It doesn't seem to be working. If you actually look at the reaction of the American people in terms of [1:40:09] who is on the verge of taking back control of the House of Representatives, these people are [1:40:13] desperate. They're flailing all over the place because Republicans have failed to deliver a single [1:40:22] thing that makes life better for the American people. In fact, what they've consistently delivered [1:40:28] is breaking promises. That's what the Republican track record shows. That's why they're [1:40:34] in deep trouble in so many ways. Republicans promised to lower the high cost of living on day [1:40:41] one costs. Having gone down, they've gone up. Republicans promised that immigration enforcement [1:40:47] in this country was going to target the worst of the worst. Instead, ice is spending billions of [1:40:54] dollars of taxpayer money to brutalize or kill American citizens and to violently target law-abiding [1:41:02] immigrant families. Republicans promised to love and cherish Medicaid and then turned around and [1:41:09] got us involved in this reckless and costly war of choice in Iran. And gas prices are skyrocketing out [1:41:30] of control in an economy that is suffocating and drowning the American people. And so I haven't [1:41:40] really followed all of the hyperbole that's come out of Mike Johnson and Steve Scalise and others, [1:41:51] because I don't think the American people are taking it seriously. And it's certainly the case [1:41:56] that the extraordinary candidates that are running in districts all across America, including Kate Conley [1:42:08] in New York, Rebecca Bennett in New Jersey, Joanna Mendoza in Arizona, three extraordinary patriotic, [1:42:18] brave women, combat veterans can't be painted as anti-American. And the Republicans know it, [1:42:28] but everything else that they've tried up until this point has failed. And this effort to label us [1:42:36] as communists is going to fail as well. View remains the same in terms of arriving at a spending [1:43:09] agreement in September. We're not down with the my way or the highway Republican approach has gotten [1:43:16] them nowhere. And I don't know why they continue to go back to that playbook. Even John Thune has said, [1:43:24] with respect to the Republican continuing resolution related to the upcoming fiscal year, [1:43:31] that that spending bill is dead on arrival in the Senate. Chuck Schumer didn't say that exclusively, [1:43:40] John Thune did. So Mike Johnson, House Republicans, they're not even on the same page with members of [1:43:47] their own party. The my way or the highway Republican approach will continue to crash and burn, [1:43:53] it will fail. And so our view is the appropriators should sit down led by Rosa DeLauro on our side [1:44:01] and enter into a bipartisan conversation about reaching an agreement that is actually designed [1:44:09] to meet the needs of the American people. And if that can't be done in advance of September 30th, [1:44:16] then we should enter into a bipartisan continuing resolution that gives the appropriators the space [1:44:23] to actually enact a spending bill at some point prior to the end of this calendar year that lifts up [1:44:32] the health, the safety and the economic well-being of the American people. There was a meeting yesterday [1:44:40] with the BPCC district work period. Can you share what? Well, I'm thankful for all of the work that's been [1:44:48] done by the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. On Sunday, we will be launching an effort [1:44:58] connected to our commitment to fight for an affordable America and have 100 days of action [1:45:08] beginning this Sunday, July 26, making clear to the American people that we're focused on lowering [1:45:18] the cost of groceries and gas and housing. We're committed to a country that provides affordable [1:45:29] health care for every American. And we also are committed as Democrats to hold the crooks accountable [1:45:36] who've been robbing the American people blind. And that includes a whole lot of folks in this town [1:45:45] and folks across the country. Leader Jeffries, the DNC is deciding, you know, they're starting this [1:45:56] discussion to order the presidential primaries. I want to know where you are standing on that. Do you [1:46:03] view this as like tipping the balance of power for one factor? Yeah, it seems that the discussions [1:46:15] to date have been robust and have been comprehensive and we'll see what they come up with over the next [1:46:22] couple of days in terms of the Rules Committee. And then ultimately, I think it has to go to the entire body [1:46:28] of the DNC at some point in August. I haven't expressed a public position other than making clear [1:46:34] I support Jim Clyburn's view that South Carolina should clearly be play a preeminent role as it has done [1:46:48] now for several presidential cycles in terms of the early nominating process, particularly in an environment [1:47:00] where we've seen the Supreme Court unleash Jim Crow like tactics in the Deep South, trying to undermine the [1:47:12] ability of African Americans to select the candidates of their choice. Have you been briefed on the Saudi [1:47:21] Arabia nuclear deal of the Presidents? And even if not, what's your report? Yeah, I have not been briefed on [1:47:26] the so-called nuclear deal with the President. And it's hard to know. He's announced how many different [1:47:32] ceasefires Donald Trump, how many different ceasefires has he announced during the course of the [1:47:38] reckless and costly war of choice in Iran? Is there anything that he says, particularly when it relates to [1:47:44] so-called agreements that we can take seriously? And so any responsible president actually would [1:47:52] have provided a briefing through his cabinet secretaries in advance of any sort of public [1:47:59] proclamation. But, you know, this is how Donald Trump behaves. He's always chasing attention. I mean, [1:48:08] he disgraced himself after the World Cup final. Looked like the old man in a club that no one wanted [1:48:16] around. And he's the only one that couldn't figure it out. So I, I, we can't, there's nothing that he's [1:48:23] saying right now that any of us can take seriously. And that's unfortunate because he's gotten us [1:48:28] involved in a war that has now cost the lives of 18 brave service members in Iran. We're getting closer [1:48:37] to Debbie, Debbie Wasserman Schultz primary in Florida. Are you planning to endorse the conference? [1:48:43] Um, I'm looking forward to getting involved in the August primaries of which there will be primaries [1:48:50] on August 4th. There'll be primaries on August 11th. And then the Florida primaries will be in August [1:48:59] 18th. And as I've said repeatedly, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz has been a highly effective [1:49:06] member of the United States Congress and a valuable member of both the leadership team [1:49:13] and the house democratic caucus. And I have more to say about that race and some of the other races [1:49:20] in August where we haven't weighed in yet sometime soon. Exactly what that means is that obviously [1:49:39] cabinet officials, but also corporations, like how are the committees of jurisdiction? We're already [1:49:45] kind of starting to think about what Democrats to do, thinking about who to target here, but also [1:49:52] how are you making sure that when Democrats are out on the campaign trail talking about these targets, [1:49:59] they don't potentially over promise to the constituents who or how they're making? [1:50:05] Our commitment to the American people is pretty simple. We will hold the crooks accountable. That's [1:50:12] exactly what the American people want to see done because the corruption that has occurred over the last 18 [1:50:18] plus months is out of control. The most corrupt administration in American history. It's not [1:50:26] even close in terms of who may fall second in that regard. And there have been a lot of folks across [1:50:36] this country who made the decision early on to bend the knee to Donald Trump. And if they've gotten [1:50:42] themselves involved in corrupt dealings, undermining the best interests of the American people, [1:50:51] then they should be held accountable. And we have a responsibility as a separate and co-equal [1:50:57] branch of government to serve as a check and balance on an out of control president, [1:51:04] and to make sure we're exposing anyone who may be working with that out of control administration. [1:51:13] In this instance, the Trump cartel undermining the best interests of the American people. [1:51:21] Look, it's clear to us that if you've got people in government who are focused more [1:51:27] on enriching themselves, their family, their friends, and their big donors, [1:51:31] then they're not focused on making life better for the American people. And that's part of the problem [1:51:35] that we have right now, that we've got a president and others who've shown no interest in improving [1:51:43] the quality of life of the American people. And that's not speculative. Donald Trump has said it [1:51:50] repeatedly in his own words. Donald Trump has said the affordability crisis is a hoax. Donald Trump has [1:51:57] said he does not think about, he doesn't give a damn, in my view, does not think about the personal [1:52:07] financial situation of the American people. His words, not mine. Donald Trump has said he loves the [1:52:13] inflation. Donald Trump has said we're so busy fighting wars, we don't have money for daycare, [1:52:23] Medicare, and Medicaid. Donald Trump said that. And so clearly he's got other things on his mind. [1:52:32] So does the administration. So do House Republicans. This is why things have gotten worse in this [1:52:38] country. The Trump economy is a disaster. Everyday Americans are drowning in the Trump economy. And [1:52:46] that's why we're committed as House Democrats to fighting for an affordable America, to make sure [1:52:54] in this country, when you work hard, when you play by the rules, you can live a comfortable life, [1:53:00] an affordable life, and live the good life. And we know how that looks. Good paying job, good housing, [1:53:07] good health care, good education for your children. And then when it's all said and done, a good retirement. [1:53:13] More than 18 months into Donald Trump's presidential term, the verdict is clear. Donald Trump and House [1:53:24] Republicans have failed the American people. Costs having gone down in the United States of America, [1:53:31] costs have gone up. ISIS completely and totally out of control, spending billions of taxpayer dollars [1:53:41] to brutalize and kill American citizens and to violently target law abiding immigrants. The Trump [1:53:50] tariffs have cost the American people thousands of dollars per year in additional expense. Republicans [1:53:58] have enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history. And as a result, hospitals, nursing homes, [1:54:04] and community based health centers all across the country, particularly in rural America, are on the brink [1:54:12] of closure. Republicans have refused to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, putting in jeopardy [1:54:20] the health insurance of more than 20 million Americans and causing premiums to skyrocket in some instances [1:54:29] more than $1,000 in additional expense per month. Donald Trump and Republicans have launched [1:54:39] a reckless war of choice in the Middle East that hasn't made America safer, but that has resulted [1:54:49] in the tragic death of 18 brave service members. Hundreds more have been seriously injured, including [1:55:02] confronting the possibility of traumatic brain injury for the rest of their lives. More than $100 billion [1:55:13] in taxpayer money has been wasted by Donald Trump over in the Middle East, a war that he promised never to [1:55:22] get us into. And yet one of the main things that has changed as a result of that reckless and costly war [1:55:35] of choice operation epic failure is that gas prices have dramatically increased and are now north of $4.18 [1:55:45] and $0.18 per gallon across the country. Donald Trump and Republicans have failed the American people, [1:55:54] which is why they clearly are on the run and are on the verge of losing control of the House of [1:56:01] Representatives. In many instances, Republicans have already lost control of the floor of the House of [1:56:07] Representatives, as Democrats just demonstrated once again by successfully passing a war powers resolution. [1:56:17] As part of our continuing effort to bring Donald Trump's reckless war of choice in the Middle East [1:56:25] to a close House Democrats are fighting for an affordable America. And as we return home to our [1:56:34] districts all across the country, we will make clear to the American people that our promise to them is [1:56:43] to lower the cost of groceries, gas and housing. Our promise to the American people is that we will fight [1:56:53] for affordable health care for every single American. And our promise to the American people [1:57:03] is that we will hold the crooks accountable. If you're a crook in the United States of America, [1:57:11] and you've been stealing from the American people, we're coming after you. So we can deliver [1:57:21] a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Questions? [1:57:27] Mr. Leader, good morning. With what's happened in Iran now, [1:57:32] will Democrats recalibrate their message on Iran? Will we see ads on Iran going into the midterm? [1:57:37] We don't have to recalibrate our message. We've been opposed to Donald Trump's reckless and costly [1:57:44] war of choice in the Middle East from the very beginning. And what's clear now is that the overwhelming [1:57:53] majority of the American people reject this war, understand it was completely and totally unnecessary, [1:58:03] that Donald Trump promised not to start forever wars, but to stop them and instead turned around [1:58:10] and in the Middle East has done the exact opposite. So we're going to continue as we've done once again [1:58:17] forcefully on the floor today to make clear that this Trump Republican war in Iran needs to come to an [1:58:25] end immediately. I have complete and total confidence in Susan Del Bene, her leadership of [1:58:42] the DCCC. And as a result of that leadership, I'm confident we're going to take back control [1:58:47] of the House of Representatives in November. Thanks. Hold on, hold on, hold on. [1:58:52] Thank you. Possibly some contested committee chairmanships. Just curious, I know seniority has been [1:59:04] a priority of the Democratic caucus for a long time. Do you still see seniority as a factor or even the most [1:59:09] important factor in determining who leads committees? It's never been the only factor. It's always been [1:59:16] a factor. Seniority is really experience. Experience should translate into whether you've been able to [1:59:23] deliver effectively in leading the committee. And the caucus is going to work its will as we move forward. [1:59:34] At the end of the day, we can't put the cart before the horse. We got to still go out and win this thing [1:59:41] in November. And we're going to do everything possible to do just that. We have great candidates [1:59:46] all across the country. DCCC once again, just announced second quarter. We outraised the [1:59:51] Republican National Campaign Committee. House Majority PAC has had a record breaking six months [2:00:04] in the on year on top of a record breaking off year. And clearly, the environment as repeatedly [2:00:13] demonstrated by public opinion survey after public opinion survey, most recently from Fox News, [2:00:23] all point in the same direction. But we're not taking anything for granted. We're going to keep [2:00:29] our foot on the gas pedal, run through the finish line to try to do what has to be done for the [2:00:34] American people. And then if we're in a position to organize heading into the majority in the 120th [2:00:44] Congress next year, then that's what we'll do. I haven't talked to him about this issue. He's been [2:01:02] very vocal on the issue. I continue to maintain the position that one, we've got to figure out how to [2:01:11] move things in a better direction in the Middle East. And for me, that means a safe and secure Israel [2:01:20] as a Jewish and democratic state living side by side in peace and prosperity with an independent [2:01:27] Palestinian state that provides dignity, self-determination and respect for the Palestinian [2:01:35] people. [2:01:52] My question is, do you think that a commitment, a pledge to the Trump administration is sufficient [2:02:00] on this issue? A lot of consumers are concerned about not only the economic impacts of data [2:02:05] centers being built in better neighborhoods, but the environmental impacts of something that you think [2:02:09] can be subdued with a commitment or is that something that Congress is going to have to do legislating? [2:02:16] Congress is ultimately going to have to legislate in this area with respect to artificial intelligence [2:02:24] generally. We want to make sure, obviously, that America can continue to lead in the race to innovate in [2:02:33] this space while at the same period of time ensuring that we are vigilantly protecting the quality of [2:02:41] life of the American people. You know, under the leadership of Ted Lieu, Josh Gottheimer and Valerie [2:02:49] Fouché, we have been engaging with stakeholders all across the country to be prepared to actually [2:02:57] legislate in a serious way moving forward on all of these issues, because Donald Trump and the [2:03:05] Republicans have dropped the ball. Thanks. [2:03:09] Mr. Johnson's almost taken a page out of your book lately and talking about similarly, you know, [2:03:14] team normal versus team crazy as it relates to communism. How do you break through that? [2:03:19] It doesn't seem to be working if you actually look at the reaction of the American people in terms of [2:03:27] who is on the verge of taking back control of the House of Representatives. These people are [2:03:31] desperate. They're flailing all over the place because Republicans have failed to deliver [2:03:38] a single thing that makes life better for the American people. In fact, what they've consistently [2:03:44] delivered is breaking promises. That's what the Republican track record shows. That's why they're [2:03:52] in deep trouble in so many ways. Republicans promised to lower the high cost of living on day one, [2:04:00] costs having gone down, they've gone up. Republicans promised that immigration enforcement in this [2:04:06] country was going to target the worst of the worst. Instead, ICE is spending billions of dollars of [2:04:13] taxpayer money to brutalize or kill American citizens and to violently target law-abiding immigrant [2:04:20] families. Republicans promised to love and cherish Medicaid and then turned around and enacted the [2:04:27] largest cut to Medicaid in American history, ripping health care away from more than 14 million Americans. [2:04:34] Republicans promised not to start endless wars in the Middle East, but to stop them and then turned [2:04:40] around and got us involved in this reckless and costly war of choice in Iran and gas prices are [2:04:47] skyrocketing out of control in an economy that is suffocating and drowning the American people. And so [2:04:56] I haven't really followed all of the hyperbole that's come out of Mike Johnson and Steve Scalise and others [2:05:09] because I don't think the American people are taking it seriously. And it's certainly the case that the [2:05:15] extraordinary candidates that are running in districts all across America, including Kate Conley in New [2:05:27] York, Rebecca Bennett in New Jersey, Joanna Mendoza in Arizona, three extraordinary patriotic brave women, [2:05:37] combat veterans can't be painted as anti-American. And the Republicans know it, but everything else [2:05:48] that they've tried up until this point has failed. And this effort to label us as communists [2:05:56] is going to fail as well. [2:06:18] Our view remains the same in terms of arriving at a spending agreement in September. We're not down [2:06:31] with the my way or the highway Republican approach has gotten them nowhere. And I don't know why they [2:06:37] continue to go back to that playbook. Even John Thune has said with respect to the Republican [2:06:44] continuing resolution related to the upcoming fiscal year that that spending bill is dead on arrival [2:06:53] in the Senate. Chuck Schumer didn't say that exclusively. John Thune did. So Mike Johnson, [2:07:01] House Republicans, they're not even on the same page with members of their own party. The my way or the [2:07:07] highway Republican approach will continue to crash and burn. It will fail. And so our view is [2:07:15] the appropriators should sit down led by Rosa DeLauro on our side and enter into a bipartisan [2:07:23] conversation about reaching an agreement that is actually designed to meet the needs of the American [2:07:28] people. And if that can't be done in advance of September 30th, then we should enter into a [2:07:35] bipartisan continuing resolution that gives the appropriators the space to actually enact a spending [2:07:43] bill at some point prior to the end of this calendar year that lifts up [2:07:50] the health, the safety and the economic well-being of the American people. There was a meeting yesterday [2:07:58] with the BPCC district work period. Can you share what? Well, I'm thankful for all of the work that's [2:08:06] been done by the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. On Sunday, we will be launching an effort [2:08:16] connected to our commitment to fight for an affordable America and have 100 days of action beginning this [2:08:27] Sunday, July 26, making clear to the American people that we're focused on lowering the cost of groceries [2:08:38] and gas and housing. We're committed to a country that provides affordable health care for every American. [2:08:50] And we also are committed as Democrats to hold the crooks accountable who've been robbing the American [2:08:57] people blind. And that includes a whole lot of folks in this town and folks across the country. [2:09:06] Peter Jeffries, the DNC fighting, you know, they're starting this discussion of order, [2:09:15] the presidential prime. I want to know where you are standing on that. Do you view this as like [2:09:22] tipping the balance of power in favor of one fact or another? What do you think of this? [2:09:29] Yeah, it seems that the discussions to date have been robust and have been comprehensive. And we'll see [2:09:39] what they come up with over the next couple of days in terms of the rules committee. And then [2:09:42] ultimately, I think it has to go to the entire body of the DNC at some point in August. I haven't expressed [2:09:49] a public position other than making clear I support Jim Clyburn's view that South Carolina [2:10:00] should clearly be play a preeminent role as it has done now for several presidential cycles in terms [2:10:13] of the early nominating process, particularly in an environment where we've seen the [2:10:19] Supreme Court unleash Jim Crow like tactics in the Deep South, trying to undermine the ability [2:10:31] of African Americans to select the candidates of their choice. [2:10:34] Have you been briefed on the Saudi Arabia deal of the president saying, even if not, [2:10:42] Yeah, I have not been briefed on the so-called nuclear deal with the president. And it's hard to [2:10:48] know. He's announced how many different ceasefires, Donald Trump, how many different ceasefires has he [2:10:53] announced during the course of the reckless and costly war of choice in Iran? Is there anything [2:11:00] that he says, particularly when it relates to so-called agreements that we can take seriously? [2:11:05] And so any responsible president actually would have provided a briefing through his cabinet secretaries [2:11:14] in advance of any sort of public proclamation. But, you know, this is how Donald Trump behaves. He's [2:11:23] always chasing attention. I mean, he disgraced himself after the World Cup final. Looked like the old man [2:11:31] in a club that no one wanted around. And he's the only one that couldn't figure it out. So we can't, [2:11:40] there's nothing that he's saying right now that any of us can take seriously. And that's unfortunate [2:11:45] because he's gotten us involved in a war that has now cost the lives of 18 brave service members in Iran. [2:11:53] I'm looking forward to getting involved in the August primaries of which there will be primaries on [2:12:09] August 4th. There'll be primaries on August 11th. And then the Florida primaries will be in August [2:12:17] 18th. And as I've said repeatedly, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz [2:12:22] has been a highly effective member of the United States Congress and a valuable member of both [2:12:30] the leadership team and the House Democratic Caucus. And I have more to say about that race [2:12:37] and some of the other races in August where we haven't weighed in yet sometime soon. [2:12:41] I'm sure. Can you clarify exactly what that means? Is that cabinet officials, but also corporations? [2:13:00] Like how are the committees of jurisdiction already kind of starting to think about what Democrats [2:13:05] can do? Not just thinking about who to target here, but also how are you making sure that [2:13:12] white Democrats are out on the campaign trail talking about these targets that they don't [2:13:17] potentially overpromise to their constituents who or how they're making it? [2:13:23] Our commitment to the American people is pretty simple. We will hold the crooks accountable. That's [2:13:29] exactly what the American people want to see done, because the corruption that has occurred [2:13:35] over the last 18 plus months is out of control. The most corrupt administration in American history. [2:13:43] It's not even close in terms of who may fall second in that regard. And there've been a lot of folks [2:13:53] across this country who made the decision early on to bend the knee to Donald Trump. And if they've [2:14:00] gotten themselves involved in corrupt dealings undermining the best interests of the American people, [2:14:09] then they should be held accountable. And we have a responsibility as a separate and co-equal branch [2:14:15] of government to serve as a check and balance on an out of control president and to make sure we're [2:14:25] exposing anyone who may be working with that out of control administration. In this instance, [2:14:32] the Trump cartel undermining the best interests of the American people. Look, it's clear to us that if [2:14:41] you've got people in government who are focused more on enriching themselves, their family, their [2:14:48] friends and their big donors, then they're not focused on making life better for the American [2:14:52] people. And that's part of the problem that we have right now, that we've got a president and others [2:14:57] who've shown no interest in improving the quality of life of the American people. And that's not [2:15:05] speculative. Donald Trump has said it repeatedly in his own words. Donald Trump has said the affordability [2:15:12] crisis is a hoax. Donald Trump has said he does not think about, he doesn't give a damn in my view, [2:15:22] does not think about the personal financial situation of the American people. His words, [2:15:29] not mine. Donald Trump has said he loves the inflation. Donald Trump has said we're so busy [2:15:35] fighting wars. We don't have money for daycare, Medicare and Medicaid. Donald Trump said that. [2:15:46] And so clearly he's got other things on his mind. So does the administration. So do House Republicans. [2:15:53] This is why things have gotten worse in this country. The Trump economy is a disaster. Everyday [2:15:59] Americans are drowning in the Trump economy. And that's why we're committed as House Democrats [2:16:08] to fighting for an affordable America to make sure in this country, when you work hard, when you play by the [2:16:14] rules, you can live a comfortable life, an affordable life and live the good life. And we know how that [2:16:23] looks. Good paying job, good housing, good health care, good education for your children. And then [2:16:28] when it's all said and done, a good retirement. More than 18 months into Donald Trump's presidential term, [2:16:37] the verdict is clear. Donald Trump and House Republicans have failed the American people. Costs [2:16:47] having gone down in the United States of America, costs have gone up. ISIS completely and totally [2:16:54] out of control, spending billions of taxpayer dollars to brutalize and kill American citizens [2:17:03] and to violently target law abiding immigrants. The Trump tariffs have cost the American people [2:17:11] thousands of dollars per year and additional expense. Republicans have enacted the largest cut to [2:17:17] Medicaid in American history. And as a result, hospitals, nursing homes and community based health [2:17:23] centers all across the country, particularly in rural America, are on the brink of closure. Republicans [2:17:33] have refused to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, putting in jeopardy the health insurance [2:17:39] of more than 20 million Americans and causing premiums to skyrocket. In some instances, [2:17:47] more than $1,000 in additional expense per month, Donald Trump and Republicans have launched a reckless war [2:17:58] of choice in the Middle East that hasn't made America safer, but that has resulted in the tragic death of 18 brave [2:18:12] service members. Hundreds more have been seriously injured, including confronting the possibility of [2:18:24] traumatic brain injury for the rest of their lives. More than $100 billion in taxpayer money has been [2:18:34] wasted by Donald Trump over in the Middle East, a war that he promised never to get us into. And yet, [2:18:44] one of the main things that has changed as a result of that reckless and costly war of choice [2:18:53] operation epic failure is that gas prices have dramatically increased and are now north of $4.18 [2:19:05] per gallon across the country. Donald Trump and Republicans have failed the American people, [2:19:11] which is why they clearly are on the run and are on the verge of losing control of the House of [2:19:19] Representatives. In many instances, Republicans have already lost control of the floor of the House of [2:19:26] Representatives, as Democrats just demonstrated once again, by successfully passing a War Powers [2:19:33] Resolution as part of our continuing effort to bring Donald Trump's reckless war of choice in the Middle [2:19:43] East to a close. House Democrats are fighting for an affordable America. And as we return home to our [2:19:52] districts all across the country, we will make clear to the American people that our promise to them is to [2:20:01] lower the cost of groceries, gas and housing. Our promise to the American people is that we will fight [2:20:13] for affordable health care for every single American. And our promise to the American people [2:20:21] is that we will hold the crooks accountable. If you're a crook in the United States of America, [2:20:29] and you've been stealing from the American people, we're coming after you. So we can deliver a [2:20:39] government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Questions? [2:20:45] Mr. Leader, good morning. With what's happened in Iran now, [2:20:50] will Democrats recalibrate their message on Iran? Will we see ads on Iran going into the midterm? [2:20:56] We don't have to recalibrate our message. We've been opposed to Donald Trump's reckless [2:21:01] and costly war of choice in the Middle East from the very beginning. And what's clear now [2:21:10] is that the overwhelming majority of the American people reject this war, understand it was completely [2:21:17] and totally unnecessary, that Donald Trump promised not to start forever wars, but to stop them, [2:21:27] and instead turned around and in the Middle East has done the exact opposite. [2:21:31] So we're going to continue, as we've done once again forcefully on the floor today, [2:21:37] to make clear that this Trump-Republican war in Iran needs to come to an end immediately. [2:21:56] I have complete and total confidence in Susan DelBene, her leadership of the DCCC, [2:22:01] and as a result of that leadership, I'm confident we're going to take back control of the House of [2:22:05] Representatives in November. Hold on, hold on, hold on. [2:22:10] Thank you. Possibly some contested committee chairmanships. I'm just curious, I know seniority [2:22:21] has been a priority of the Democratic Caucus for a long time. Do you still see seniority [2:22:26] as a factor or even the most important factor in determining who leads committees? [2:22:30] It's never been the only factor. It's always been a factor. Seniority is really experience. [2:22:38] Experience should translate into whether you've been able to deliver effectively in leading the [2:22:44] committee, and the caucus is going to work its will as we move forward. At the end of the day, [2:22:53] we can't put the cart before the horse. We've got to still go out and win this thing in November, [2:23:00] and we're going to do everything possible to do just that. We have great candidates all across the [2:23:05] country. DCCC once again just announced, second quarter, we outraised the Republican National [2:23:11] Campaign Committee. House Majority PAC has had a record-breaking six months in the on-year, [2:23:23] on top of a record-breaking off-year. And clearly, the environment, as repeatedly demonstrated by public [2:23:34] opinion survey after public opinion survey, most recently from Fox News, all point in the same [2:23:42] direction. But we're not taking anything for granted. We're going to keep our foot on the gas [2:23:48] pedal, run through the finish line to try to do what has to be done for the American people. And then, [2:23:55] if we're in a position to organize, heading into the majority in the 120th Congress next year, [2:24:03] then that's what we'll do. I haven't talked to him about this issue. He's been very vocal [2:24:21] on the issue. I continue to maintain the position that, one, we've got to figure out how to move [2:24:30] things in a better direction in the Middle East. And for me, that means a safe and secure Israel, [2:24:38] as a Jewish and democratic state, living side-by-side in peace and prosperity, [2:24:44] with an independent Palestinian state that provides dignity, self-determination, [2:24:50] and respect for the Palestinian people. [2:24:53] Today, it's going to be a way to pay our prisoners are going to be [2:25:06] to lower costs and protect consumers from the cost of data centers being built in their neighborhoods. [2:25:12] My question is, do you think that a commitment, a pledge to the Trump administration, [2:25:17] is sufficient on this issue? A lot of consumers are concerned about not only the [2:25:22] economic impacts of data centers being built in their neighborhoods, [2:25:25] but the environmental impact that you think can be subdued with a commitment, [2:25:31] or is that something that Congress is going to have to do legislating? [2:25:34] Congress is ultimately going to have to legislate in this area with respect to artificial intelligence [2:25:42] generally. We want to make sure, obviously, that America can continue to lead [2:25:46] in the race to innovate in this space while at the same period of time ensuring [2:25:55] that we are vigilantly protecting the quality of life of the American people. [2:26:01] You know, under the leadership of Ted Lieu, Josh Gottheimer, and Valerie Fouché, [2:26:08] we have been engaging with stakeholders all across the country to be prepared to actually legislate [2:26:16] in a serious way moving forward on all of these issues. Because Donald Trump and the Republicans [2:26:24] have dropped the ball. Thanks. [2:26:27] Senator Johnson's almost taken a page out of your book lately and talking about similarly, [2:26:32] you know, team normal versus team crazy as it relates to communism. How do you break through that? [2:26:37] It doesn't seem to be working. If you actually look at the reaction of the American people in terms of [2:26:45] who is on the verge of taking back control of the House of Representatives, [2:26:48] these people are desperate. They're flailing all over the place because Republicans have failed [2:26:56] to deliver a single thing that makes life better for the American people. In fact, [2:27:01] what they've consistently delivered is breaking promises. That's what the Republican track record [2:27:09] shows. That's why they're in deep trouble in so many ways. Republicans promised to lower the high cost [2:27:16] the living on day one. Costs having gone down, they've gone up. Republicans promised that immigration [2:27:23] enforcement in this country was going to target the worst of the worst. Instead, ICE is spending [2:27:29] billions of dollars of taxpayer money to brutalize or kill American citizens and to violently target law [2:27:37] abiding immigrant families. Republicans promised to love and cherish Medicaid and then turned around [2:27:44] and got us involved in this reckless and costly war of choice in Iran and gas prices are skyrocketing out [2:28:06] of control in an economy that is suffocating and drowning the American people. And so I haven't really [2:28:17] followed all of the hyperbole that's come out of Mike Johnson and Steve Scalise and others because I don't [2:28:28] think the American people are taking it seriously. And it's certainly the case that the extraordinary [2:28:34] candidates that are running in districts all across America, including Kate Conley in New York, [2:28:46] Rebecca Bennett in New Jersey, Joanna Mendoza in Arizona, three extraordinary patriotic brave women, [2:28:55] combat veterans can't be painted as anti American. And the Republicans know it. But everything else [2:29:06] that they've tried up until this point has failed. And this effort to label us as communists is going [2:29:14] to fail as well. Our view remains the same in terms of arriving at a spending agreement in September. [2:29:48] We're not down with the my way or the highway Republican approach that has gotten them nowhere. [2:29:53] And I don't know why they continue to go back to that playbook. Even John Thune has said with respect to [2:30:01] the Republican continuing resolution related to the upcoming fiscal year that that spending [2:30:08] bill is dead on arrival in the Senate. Chuck Schumer didn't say that exclusively. John Thune did. [2:30:18] So Mike Johnson, House Republicans, they're not even on the same page with members of their own party. [2:30:24] The my way or the highway Republican approach will continue to crash and burn. It will fail. [2:30:30] And so our view is the appropriators should sit down led by Rosa DeLauro on our side and enter into [2:30:40] a bipartisan conversation about reaching an agreement that is actually designed to meet [2:30:45] the needs of the American people. And if that can't be done in advance of September 30th, [2:30:52] then we should enter into a bipartisan continuing resolution that gives the appropriators the space [2:30:59] to actually enact a spending bill at some point prior to the end of this calendar year that lifts up [2:31:08] the health, the safety and the economic well being of the American people. There was a meeting yesterday [2:31:16] with the DTCC about messaging district work period. Can you share what? Well, I'm thankful for all of the [2:31:24] work that's been done by the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. On Sunday, [2:31:31] we will be launching an effort connected to our commitment to fight for an affordable America [2:31:41] and have 100 days of action beginning this Sunday, July 26, making clear to the American people that [2:31:50] we're focused on lowering the cost of groceries and gas and housing. We're committed to a country [2:32:03] that provides affordable health care for every American. And we also are committed as Democrats [2:32:10] to hold the crooks accountable who've been robbing the American people blind. And that includes a whole [2:32:19] lot of folks in this town and folks across the country. [2:32:24] Peter Jeffries, the DNC, you know, they're starting this discussion order the presidential primaries for [2:32:36] 2028. I want to know where you are standing on that. Do you view this as like tipping the balance of [2:32:43] power in favor of one factor? What do you think of this? [2:32:47] Yeah, it seems that the discussions to date have been robust and have been comprehensive, [2:32:56] and we'll see what they come up with over the next couple of days in terms of the rules committee. [2:33:00] And then ultimately, I think it has to go to the entire body of the DNC at some point in August. [2:33:07] I haven't expressed a public position other than making clear I support Jim Clyburn's view [2:33:14] that South Carolina should clearly be play a preeminent role as it has done now for several [2:33:27] presidential cycles in terms of the early nominating process, particularly in an environment where we've [2:33:37] seen the Supreme Court unleash Jim Crow like tactics in the Deep South, trying to undermine the ability [2:33:49] of African-Americans to select the candidates of their choice. [2:33:52] Have you been briefed on the Saudi Arabia deal of the Presidents and even if not? [2:34:01] Yeah, I have not been briefed on the so-called nuclear deal with the President. And it's hard to know. [2:34:06] He's announced how many different ceasefires Donald Trump, how many different ceasefires has he [2:34:11] announced during the course of the reckless and costly war of choice in Iran? Is there anything that [2:34:18] he says, particularly when it relates to so-called agreements that we can take seriously? And so any [2:34:25] responsible president actually would have provided a briefing through his cabinet secretaries in [2:34:33] advance of any sort of public proclamation. But this is how Donald Trump behaves. He's always chasing [2:34:42] attention. I mean, he disgraced himself after the World Cup final. Looked like the old man in a club [2:34:50] that no one wanted around. And he's the only one that couldn't figure it out. So we can't, [2:34:58] there's nothing that he's saying right now that any of us can take seriously. And that's unfortunate [2:35:03] because he's gotten us involved in a war that has now cost the lives of 18 brave service members in [2:35:11] Iran. We're getting closer to Debbie Wasserman's primary in Florida. Are you planning to endorse the [2:35:18] comment? I'm looking forward to getting involved in the August primaries of which there will be [2:35:26] primaries on August 4th. There'll be primaries on August 11th. And then the Florida primaries [2:35:33] will be in August 18th. And as I've said repeatedly, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz [2:35:40] has been a highly effective member of the United States Congress and a valuable member of both the [2:35:48] leadership team and the House Democratic caucus. And I have more to say about that race and some [2:35:55] of the other races in August where we haven't weighed in yet sometime soon. [2:35:59] Can you clarify exactly what that means? Is that obviously cabinet officials, but also [2:36:17] corporations? Like how are the committees of jurisdiction already kind of starting to think [2:36:22] about what Democrats do not just thinking about who to target here, but also how are you making sure [2:36:30] that white Democrats are out on the campaign trail talking about these targets? They don't [2:36:35] potentially over promise to their constituents who or how they're making. Our commitment to the [2:36:42] American people is pretty simple. We will hold the crooks accountable. That's exactly what the American [2:36:49] people want to see done because the corruption that has occurred over the last 18 plus months is out of [2:36:55] control. The most corrupt administration in American history. It's not even close in terms of who may fall [2:37:05] second in that regard. And there have been a lot of folks across this country who made the decision early [2:37:14] on to bend the knee to Donald Trump. And if they've gotten themselves involved in corrupt dealings, undermining the [2:37:24] best interests of the American people, then they should be held accountable. And we have a responsibility as a [2:37:32] separate and co-equal branch of government to serve as a check and balance on an out of control president. [2:37:42] And to make sure we're exposing anyone who may be working with that out of control administration, [2:37:49] in this instance, the Trump cartel undermining the best interests of the American people. Look, [2:37:57] it's clear to us that if you've got people in government who are focused more on enriching themselves, [2:38:05] their family, their friends, and their big donors, then they're not focused on making life better for [2:38:09] the American people. And that's part of the problem that we have right now, that we've got a president [2:38:15] and others who've shown no interest in improving the quality of life of the American people. And that's [2:38:23] not speculative. Donald Trump has said it repeatedly in his own words. Donald Trump has said the affordability [2:38:30] crisis is a hoax. Donald Trump has said he does not think about, he doesn't give a damn in my view, [2:38:40] does not think about the personal financial situation of the American people. His words, [2:38:47] not mine. Donald Trump has said he loves the inflation. Donald Trump has said we're so busy [2:38:53] fighting wars, we don't have money for daycare, Medicare, and Medicaid. Donald Trump said that. [2:39:04] And so clearly he's got other things on his mind. So does the administration. So do House Republicans. [2:39:11] This is why things have gotten worse in this country. The Trump economy is a disaster. [2:39:17] Everyday Americans are drowning in the Trump economy. And that's why we're committed, [2:39:24] as House Democrats, to fighting for an affordable America, to make sure in this country, when you [2:39:31] work hard, when you play by the rules, you can live a comfortable life, an affordable life, [2:39:37] and live the good life. And we know how that looks. Good paying job, good housing, good health care, [2:39:44] good education for your children. And then when it's all said and done, a good retirement. [2:39:49] More than 18 months into Donald Trump's presidential term, the verdict is clear. Donald Trump and House [2:40:00] Republicans have failed the American people. Costs having gone down in the United States of America, [2:40:07] costs have gone up. ICE is completely and totally out of control, spending billions of taxpayer dollars [2:40:17] to brutalize and kill American citizens and to violently target law abiding immigrants. The Trump [2:40:26] tariffs have cost the American people thousands of dollars per year and additional expense. [2:40:33] Republicans have enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history. And as a result, hospitals, [2:40:39] nursing homes and community based health centers all across the country, particularly in rural America, [2:40:46] are on the brink of closure. Republicans have refused to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, [2:40:55] putting in jeopardy the health insurance of more than 20 million Americans and causing premiums to [2:41:02] skyrocket. In some instances, more than $1,000 in additional expense per month. Donald Trump and [2:41:13] Republicans have launched a reckless war of choice in the Middle East that hasn't made America safer, [2:41:23] but that has resulted in the tragic death of 18 brave service members. Hundreds more have been seriously [2:41:35] injured, including confronting the possibility of traumatic brain injury for the rest of their lives. [2:41:48] More than $100 billion in taxpayer money has been wasted by Donald Trump over in the Middle East, [2:41:56] a war that he promised never to get us into. And yet one of the main things that has changed as a [2:42:06] result of that reckless and costly war of choice operation. Epic failure is that gas prices have [2:42:15] dramatically increased and are now north of $4.18 per gallon across the country. Donald Trump and [2:42:26] Republicans have failed the American people, which is why they clearly are on the run and are on the [2:42:35] verge of losing control of the House of Representatives. In many instances, Republicans have already lost [2:42:42] control of the floor of the House of Representatives as Democrats just demonstrated once again by [2:42:47] successfully passing a war powers resolution as part of our continuing effort to bring Donald Trump's [2:42:57] reckless war of choice in the Middle East to a close. House Democrats are fighting for an affordable [2:43:07] America. And as we return home to our districts all across the country, we will make clear to the [2:43:15] American people that our promise to them is to lower the cost of groceries, gas and housing. Our promise [2:43:27] to the American people is that we will fight for affordable health care for every single American. And our [2:43:36] promise to the American people is that we will hold the crooks accountable. If you're a crook in the United [2:43:46] States of America and you've been stealing from the American people, we're coming after you so we can deliver a [2:43:57] government of the people by the people and for the people. Questions? [2:44:03] Mr. Leader, good morning. With what's happened in Iran now, will Democrats recalibrate their message on Iran? [2:44:10] Will we see ads on Iran going into the midterm? We don't have to recalibrate our message. We've been [2:44:16] opposed to Donald Trump's reckless and costly war of choice in the Middle East from the very beginning. [2:44:24] And what's clear now is that the overwhelming majority of the American people reject this war, [2:44:34] understand it was completely and totally unnecessary, that Donald Trump promised not to start [2:44:42] forever wars, but to stop them and instead turned around and in the Middle East has done the exact [2:44:48] opposite. So we're going to continue as we've done once again forcefully on the floor today to make [2:44:56] clear that this Trump-Republican war in Iran needs to come to an end immediately. [2:45:11] Complete and total confidence in Susan Del Bene, her leadership of the DCCC, [2:45:19] and as a result of that leadership, I'm confident we're going to take back control of the House of [2:45:23] Representatives in November. Hold on, hold on, hold on. [2:45:30] Possibly some committee chairmanships. I'm just curious, I know seniority has been a priority of the [2:45:41] Democratic caucus for a long time. Do you still see seniority as a factor or even the most important [2:45:46] factor in determining who leads committees? It's never been the only factor. It's always been a factor. [2:45:53] Seniority is really experience. Experience should translate into whether you've been able to deliver [2:46:00] effectively in leading the committee. And the caucus is going to work its will as we move forward. [2:46:10] At the end of the day, we can't put the cart before the horse. We've got to still go out and win this [2:46:15] thing in November. And we're going to do everything possible to do just that. We have great candidates [2:46:22] all across the country. DCCC once again just announced, second quarter, we out-raised the Republican [2:46:28] National Campaign Committee. House Majority PAC has had a record-breaking six months in the on-year, [2:46:41] on top of a record-breaking off-year. And clearly, the environment, as repeatedly demonstrated by [2:46:52] public opinion survey after public opinion survey, most recently from Fox News, all point in the same [2:47:00] direction. But we're not taking anything for granted. We're going to keep our foot on the gas pedal, [2:47:07] run through the finish line to try to do what has to be done for the American people. And then, [2:47:13] if we're in a position to organize heading into the majority in the 120th Congress next year, [2:47:21] then that's what we'll do. Do you agree with Zoran Mamdani that the federal apply [2:47:29] with the ICC's arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu? [2:47:33] I haven't talked to him about this issue. He's been very vocal on the issue. I continue to maintain the [2:47:43] position that, one, we've got to figure out how to move things in a better direction in the Middle East. [2:47:52] And for me, that means a safe and secure Israel as a Jewish and democratic state living side-by-side [2:48:00] in peace and prosperity with an independent Palestinian state that provides dignity, [2:48:07] self-determination, and respect for the Palestinian people. [2:48:11] Today is going to be at the EPA World-A-Payer Protection Pledge, where she says AI companies are [2:48:22] going to be making commitments to lower costs and protect consumers from the cost of data [2:48:28] centers being built in their neighborhoods. My question is, do you think that a commitment, [2:48:33] a pledge to the Trump administration is sufficient on this issue? A lot of consumers are concerned about [2:48:38] not only the economic impacts of data centers being built in their neighborhoods, but the [2:48:43] environmental impact. Is that something that you think can be subdued with a commitment or is that [2:48:49] something that Congress is going to have to do legislating? Congress is ultimately going to have [2:48:53] to legislate in this area with respect to artificial intelligence generally. We want to make sure, [2:49:01] obviously, that America can continue to lead in the race to innovate in this space, [2:49:10] while at the same period of time ensuring that we are vigilantly protecting the quality of life [2:49:18] of the American people. Under the leadership of Ted Lieu, Josh Gottheimer, and Valerie Fouché, [2:49:26] we have been engaging with stakeholders all across the country to be prepared to actually legislate in [2:49:34] a serious way moving forward on all of these issues, because Donald Trump and the Republicans have [2:49:42] dropped the ball. Thanks. It doesn't seem to be working if you actually look at the reaction of [2:50:01] the American people in terms of who is on the verge of taking back control of the House of [2:50:06] Representatives. These people are desperate. They're flailing all over the place because Republicans have [2:50:13] failed to deliver a single thing that makes life better for the American people. In fact, [2:50:19] what they've consistently delivered is breaking promises. That's what the Republican track record [2:50:27] shows. That's why they're in deep trouble in so many ways. Republicans promised to lower the high cost [2:50:34] of living on day one. Costs having gone down, they've gone up. Republicans promised that immigration [2:50:41] enforcement in this country was going to target the worst of the worst. Instead, ICE is spending [2:50:47] billions of dollars of taxpayer money to brutalize or kill American citizens and to violently target [2:50:55] law-abiding immigrant families. Republicans promised to love and cherish Medicaid and then turned around [2:51:02] and enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history, ripping health care away from more than 14 [2:51:08] million Americans. Republicans promised not to start endless wars in the Middle East, but to stop them [2:51:15] and then turned around and got us involved in this reckless and costly war of choice in Iran. And gas [2:51:22] prices are skyrocketing out of control in an economy that is suffocating and drowning the American people. [2:51:31] And so I haven't really followed all of the hyperbole that's come out of Mike Johnson and Steve Scalise [2:51:43] and others because I don't think the American people are taking it seriously. And it's certainly the [2:51:50] case that the extraordinary candidates that are running in districts all across America, including Kate [2:52:00] Conley in New York, Rebecca Bennett in New Jersey, Joanna Mendoza in Arizona, three extraordinary [2:52:11] patriotic, brave women, combat veterans can't be painted as anti-American. And the Republicans know [2:52:22] it, but everything else that they've tried up until this point has failed. And this effort to label us [2:52:30] as communists is going to fail as well. [2:52:45] Is that language that explicitly zeroes out that public renewal to support the CR in September? [2:52:52] And how do you start coordinating with Schumer on a strategy? [2:52:59] Our view remains the same in terms of arriving at a spending agreement in September. [2:53:06] We're not down with the my way or the highway Republican approach. That has gotten them nowhere. [2:53:12] And I don't know why they continue to go back to that playbook. Even John Thune has said, [2:53:18] with respect to the Republican continuing resolution related to the upcoming fiscal year, [2:53:25] that that spending bill is dead on arrival in the Senate. Chuck Schumer didn't say that exclusively. [2:53:34] John Thune did. So Mike Johnson, House Republicans, they're not even on the same page [2:53:40] with members of their own party. The my way or the highway Republican approach will continue to crash [2:53:46] and burn. It will fail. And so our view is the appropriators should sit down, led by Rosa [2:53:54] DeLauro on our side and enter into a bipartisan conversation about reaching an agreement that [2:54:02] is actually designed to meet the needs of the American people. And if that can't be done [2:54:08] in advance of September 30th, then we should enter into a bipartisan continuing resolution [2:54:14] that gives the appropriators the space to actually enact a spending bill at some point prior to the [2:54:21] end of this calendar year that lifts up the health, the safety and the economic well-being of the American [2:54:31] people. There was a meeting yesterday with the BPCC about messaging for district work period. Can you share [2:54:39] what? Well, I'm thankful for all of the work that's been done by the Democratic Policy and Communications [2:54:45] Committee. On Sunday, we will be launching an effort connected to our commitment to fight for an affordable [2:54:58] America and have 100 days of action beginning this Sunday, July 26, making clear to the American [2:55:08] people that we're focused on lowering the cost of groceries and gas and housing. We're committed [2:55:17] to a country that provides affordable health care for every American. And we also are committed as [2:55:28] Democrats to hold the crooks accountable who've been robbing the American people blind. And that includes [2:55:37] a whole lot of folks in this town and folks across the country. [2:55:45] Leader Jeffries, the DNC is deciding, you know, they're starting this discussion, [2:55:50] order the presidential prime. I want to know where you are standing on that. Do you view this as like [2:55:58] tipping the balance of power in favor of one factor or another? What do you think of this? [2:56:05] Yeah, it seems that the discussions to date have been robust and have been comprehensive. And we'll see [2:56:14] what they come up with over the next couple of days in terms of the rules committee. And then ultimately, [2:56:19] I think it has to go to the entire body of the DNC at some point in August. I haven't expressed a public [2:56:26] position other than making clear, I support Jim Clyburn's view that South Carolina should clearly be [2:56:37] play a preeminent role as it has done now for several presidential cycles in terms of the early nominating process, [2:56:51] particularly in an environment where we've seen the Supreme Court unleash Jim Crow like tactics [2:57:02] in the Deep South, trying to undermine the ability of African Americans to select the candidates of their choice. [2:57:10] Have you been on the Saudi Arabia nuclear deal of the presidents? And even if not, what's your [2:57:18] report? Yeah, I have not been briefed on the so-called nuclear deal with the president. And it's hard to [2:57:24] know. He's announced how many different ceasefires Donald Trump, how many different ceasefires has he [2:57:29] announced during the course of the reckless and costly war of choice in Iran? Is there anything that he [2:57:36] says, particularly when it relates to so-called agreements that we can take seriously? And so any [2:57:43] responsible president actually would have provided a briefing through his cabinet secretaries in [2:57:51] advance of any sort of public proclamation. But, you know, this is how Donald Trump behaves. He's [2:57:59] always chasing attention. I mean, he disgraced himself after the World Cup final, looked like the old man in [2:58:07] a club that no one wanted around. And he's the only one that couldn't figure it out. So we can't, there's [2:58:16] nothing that he's saying right now that any of us can take seriously. And that's unfortunate because [2:58:22] he's gotten us involved in a war that has now cost the lives of 18 brave service members in Iran. [2:58:29] We're getting closer to Debbie Wasserman Schultz's primary in Florida. Are you planning to endorse the [2:58:36] call? I'm looking forward to getting involved in the August primaries, of which there will be primaries on [2:58:45] August 4th. There'll be primaries on August 11th. And then the Florida primaries will be in August [2:58:53] 18th. And as I've said repeatedly, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz has been a highly effective [2:59:00] member of the United States Congress and a valuable member of both the leadership team and the House [2:59:08] Democratic Caucus. And I have more to say about that race and some of the other races in August where we [2:59:15] haven't weighed in yet sometime soon. Exactly what that means is that cabinet officials but also [2:59:35] corporations, like how are the committees of jurisdiction already kind of starting to think about [2:59:40] what Democrats to do, thinking about who to target here, but also how are you making sure that when [2:59:48] Democrats are out on the campaign trail talking about these targets, they don't potentially [2:59:54] over promise to their constituents who or how they're making. Our commitment to the American people is [3:00:01] pretty simple. We will hold the crooks accountable. That's exactly what the American people want to [3:00:07] see done because the corruption that has occurred over the last 18 plus months is out of control. The most [3:00:16] corrupt administration in American history is not even close in terms of who may fall second in that [3:00:25] regard. And there have been a lot of folks across this country who made the decision early on to bend the knee to [3:00:33] Donald Trump. And if they've gotten themselves involved in corrupt dealings undermining the [3:00:42] best interests of the American people, then they should be held accountable. And we have a responsibility [3:00:50] as a separate and co-equal branch of government to serve as a check and balance on an out of control [3:00:58] president and to make sure we're exposing anyone who may be working with that out of control administration, [3:01:07] in this instance, the Trump cartel undermining the best interests of the American people. Look, [3:01:15] it's clear to us that if you've got people in government who are focused more on enriching [3:01:22] themselves, their family, their friends and their big donors, then they're not focused on making life [3:01:27] better for the American people. And that's part of the problem that we have right now, that we've got [3:01:32] a president and others who've shown no interest in improving the quality of life of the American people. [3:01:40] And that's not speculative. Donald Trump has said it repeatedly in his own words. Donald Trump has [3:01:47] said the affordability crisis is a hoax. Donald Trump has said he does not think about, he doesn't [3:01:56] give a damn in my view, does not think about the personal financial situation of the American people. [3:02:04] His words, not mine. Donald Trump has said he loves the inflation. Donald Trump has said we're so busy [3:02:11] fighting wars. We don't have money for daycare, Medicare and Medicaid. Donald Trump said that. [3:02:22] And so clearly he's got other things on his mind. So does the administration. So do House Republicans. [3:02:29] This is why things have gotten worse in this country. The Trump economy is a disaster. [3:02:35] Everyday Americans are drowning in the Trump economy. And that's why we're committed as House Democrats [3:02:44] to fighting for an affordable America. To make sure in this country, when you work hard, when you play [3:02:50] by the rules, you can live a comfortable life, an affordable life and live the good life. And we know [3:02:58] how that looks. Good paying job, good housing, good health care, good education for your children. And [3:03:03] then when it's all said and done, a good retirement. More than 18 months into Donald Trump's presidential term, [3:03:13] the verdict is clear. Donald Trump and House Republicans have failed the American people. [3:03:22] Costs having gone down in the United States of America, costs have gone up. [3:03:26] ICE is completely and totally out of control, spending billions of taxpayer dollars to brutalize [3:03:36] and kill American citizens and to violently target law abiding immigrants. The Trump tariffs [3:03:44] have cost the American people thousands of dollars per year in additional expense. Republicans have [3:03:52] enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history. And as a result, hospitals, nursing homes, [3:03:58] and community based health centers all across the country, particularly in rural America, [3:04:04] are on the brink of closure. Republicans have refused to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, [3:04:13] putting in jeopardy the health insurance of more than 20 million Americans and causing premiums to skyrocket, [3:04:21] in some instances, more than $1,000 in additional expense per month. Donald Trump and Republicans [3:04:32] have launched a reckless war of choice in the Middle East that hasn't made America safer, but that has [3:04:42] resulted in the tragic death of 18 brave service members. Hundreds more have been seriously injured, [3:04:55] including confronting the possibility of traumatic brain injury for the rest of their lives. More than $100 [3:05:07] billion in taxpayer money has been wasted by Donald Trump over in the Middle East, a war that he promised [3:05:16] never to get us into. And yet one of the main things that has changed as a result of that reckless and [3:05:26] costly war of choice operation epic failure is that gas prices have dramatically increased and are now [3:05:36] north of $4.18 per gallon across the country. Donald Trump and Republicans have failed the American [3:05:46] people, which is why they clearly are on the run and are on the verge of losing control of the House [3:05:55] of Representatives. In many instances, Republicans have already lost control of the floor of the House of [3:06:02] Representatives, as Democrats just demonstrated once again by successfully passing a war powers resolution. As part of [3:06:11] our continuing effort to bring Donald Trump's reckless war of choice in the Middle East to a close. House Democrats are [3:06:22] fighting for fighting for an affordable America. And as we return home to our districts all across the country, we will make [3:06:33] clear to the American people that our promise to them is to lower the cost of groceries, gas and housing. Our promise to the [3:06:45] American people is that we will fight for affordable health care for every single American. And our promise to the American [3:06:55] people is that we will hold the crooks accountable. If you're a crook in the United States of America and [3:07:05] you've been stealing from the American people, we're coming after you so we can deliver a government of the [3:07:17] people, by the people and for the people. Questions? Mr. Leader, with what's happened in Iran now, will [3:07:26] Democrats recalibrate their message on Iran? Will we see ads on Iran going into the midterm? We don't have to [3:07:32] recalibrate our message. We've been opposed to Donald Trump's reckless and costly war of choice in the [3:07:40] Middle East from the very beginning. And what's clear now is that the overwhelming majority of the [3:07:48] American people reject this war, understand it was completely and totally unnecessary that Donald Trump [3:07:58] promised not to start forever wars, but to stop them and instead turned around and in the Middle East has [3:08:06] done the exact opposite. So we're going to continue as we've done once again forcefully on the floor [3:08:13] today to make clear that this Trump Republican war in Iran needs to come to an end immediately. [3:08:30] I have complete and total confidence in Susan Del Bene, her leadership of the DCCC. And as a result of [3:08:38] that leadership, I'm confident we're going to take back control of the House of Representatives in November. [3:08:43] I'm just curious, I know seniority has been a priority of the Democratic Caucus for a long time. [3:09:00] Do you still see seniority as a factor or even the most important factor in determining who leads committees? [3:09:06] It's never been the only factor. It's always been a factor. Seniority is really experience. [3:09:14] Experience should translate into whether you've been able to deliver effectively in leading the committee, [3:09:22] and the caucus is going to work its will as we move forward. At the end of the day, [3:09:29] we can't put the cart before the horse. We got to still go out and win this thing in November. [3:09:37] And we're going to do everything possible to do just that. We have great candidates all across the [3:09:41] country. DCCC once again, just announced second quarter, we out raised the Republican National [3:09:47] Campaign Committee. House Majority PAC has had a record-breaking six months in the on-year on top of [3:10:00] a record-breaking off-year. And clearly, the environment, as repeatedly demonstrated by public [3:10:10] opinion survey after public opinion survey, most recently from Fox News, all point in the same direction. [3:10:20] But we're not taking anything for granted. We're going to keep our foot on the gas pedal, [3:10:25] run through the finish line to try to do what has to be done for the American people. And then, [3:10:30] if we're in a position to organize, heading into the majority in the 120th Congress next year, [3:10:39] then that's what we'll do. I haven't talked to him about this issue. He's been very vocal [3:10:58] on the issue. I continue to maintain the position that one, we've got to figure out how to move [3:11:06] things in a better direction in the Middle East. And for me, that means a safe and secure Israel [3:11:14] as a Jewish and democratic state living side-by-side in peace and prosperity [3:11:20] with an independent Palestinian state that provides dignity, self-determination, [3:11:26] and respect for the Palestinian people. [3:11:29] The EPA will repay a protection plan. AI companies are going to make commitments to lower costs and [3:11:43] protect consumers from the cost of data centers being built in their neighborhoods. [3:11:48] My question is, do you think that a commitment, a pledge to the Trump administration is sufficient [3:11:54] on this issue? A lot of consumers are concerned about not only the economic impacts of data [3:11:59] centers being built in their neighborhoods, but the environmental impact. Is that something that [3:12:03] you think can be subdued with a commitment, or is that something that Congress is going to have [3:12:09] to do legislating? Congress is ultimately going to have to legislate in this area with respect to [3:12:16] artificial intelligence generally. We want to make sure, obviously, that America can continue to lead [3:12:24] in the race to innovate in this space, while at the same period of time ensuring that we are [3:12:32] vigilantly protecting the quality of life of the American people. You know, under the leadership of [3:12:40] Ted Lieu, Josh Gottheimer, and Valerie Fouché, we have been engaging with stakeholders all across the country [3:12:49] to be prepared to actually legislate in a serious way, moving forward on all of these issues, [3:12:57] because Donald Trump and the Republicans have dropped the ball. Thanks. [3:13:03] Your nonsense almost taking a page out of your book lately and talking about similarly, you know, [3:13:08] team normal versus crazy as it relates to communism. How do you break through that message? [3:13:15] It doesn't seem to be working. If you actually look at the reaction of the American people in terms of [3:13:21] who is on the verge of taking back control of the House of Representatives, these people are [3:13:25] desperate. They're flailing all over the place because Republicans have failed to deliver a single [3:13:34] thing that makes life better for the American people. In fact, what they've consistently delivered [3:13:40] is breaking promises. That's what the Republican track record shows. That's why they're in deep trouble [3:13:48] in so many ways. Republicans promised to lower the high cost of living on day one, costs having gone down. [3:13:55] They've gone up. Republicans promised that immigration enforcement in this country was going to target [3:14:02] the worst of the worst. Instead, ICE is spending billions of dollars of taxpayer money to brutalize [3:14:09] or kill American citizens and to violently target law-abiding immigrant families. Republicans promised to [3:14:17] love and cherish Medicaid and then turned around and enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history, [3:14:24] ripping health care away from more than 14 million Americans. Republicans promised not to start endless [3:14:31] wars in the Middle East, but to stop them and then turned around and got us involved in this reckless [3:14:37] and costly war of choice in Iran. And gas prices are skyrocketing out of control in an economy that is [3:14:45] suffocating and drowning the American people. And so I haven't really followed all of the hyperbole that's [3:14:59] come out of Mike Johnson and Steve Scalise and others because I don't think the American people are [3:15:05] taking it seriously. And it's certainly the case that the extraordinary candidates that are running in [3:15:14] districts all across America, including Kate Conley in New York, Rebecca Bennett in New Jersey, Joanna Mendoza in [3:15:27] Arizona, three extraordinary patriotic, brave women, combat veterans, can't be painted as anti-American. [3:15:38] And the Republicans know it, but everything else that they've tried up until this point [3:15:44] has failed. And this effort to label us as communists is going to fail as well. [3:16:17] View remains the same in terms of arriving at a spending agreement in September. We're not down with [3:16:25] the my way or the highway Republican approach has gotten them nowhere. And I don't know why they [3:16:30] continue to go back to that playbook. Even John Thune has said with respect to the Republican [3:16:38] continuing resolution related to the upcoming fiscal year that that spending bill is dead on arrival [3:16:47] in the Senate. Chuck Schumer didn't say that exclusively. John Thune did. So Mike Johnson, [3:16:55] House Republicans, they're not even on the same page with members of their own party. The my way or the [3:17:01] highway Republican approach will continue to crash and burn. It will fail. And so our view is [3:17:08] the appropriators should sit down led by Rosa DeLauro on our side and enter into a bipartisan [3:17:17] conversation about reaching an agreement that is actually designed to meet the needs of the American [3:17:22] people. And if that can't be done in advance of September 30th, then we should enter into a [3:17:29] bipartisan continuing resolution that gives the appropriators the space to actually enact a spending [3:17:37] bill at some point prior to the end of this calendar year that lifts up the health [3:17:45] the safety and the economic well-being of the American people. There was a meeting yesterday [3:17:52] with the BPCC about messaging district work period. Can you share what? Well, I'm thankful for all of the [3:18:00] work that's been done by the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. On Sunday, we will be [3:18:07] launching an effort connected to our commitment to fight for an affordable America and have 100 days of [3:18:19] action beginning this Sunday, July 26, making clear to the American people that we're focused on lowering [3:18:30] the cost of groceries and gas and housing. We're committed to a country that provides affordable [3:18:41] health care for every American. And we also are committed as Democrats to hold the crooks accountable [3:18:48] who've been robbing the American people blind. And that includes a whole lot of folks in this town [3:18:57] and folks across the country. [3:19:00] Leader Jeffries, the DNC is deciding, you know, they're starting this discussion of order [3:19:09] the presidential primaries. I want to know where you are standing on that. Do you view this as like [3:19:16] tipping the balance of power from one fraction of the party to another? [3:19:21] Yeah, it seems that the discussions to date have been robust and have been comprehensive. And we'll see [3:19:33] what they come up with over the next couple of days in terms of the Rules Committee. And then [3:19:36] ultimately, I think it has to go to the entire body of the DNC at some point in August. I haven't [3:19:43] expressed a public position other than making clear I support Jim Clyburn's view that South Carolina [3:19:54] should clearly be play a preeminent role as it has done now for several presidential cycles in terms of [3:20:07] the early nominating process, particularly in an environment where we've seen the Supreme Court [3:20:15] unleash Jim Crow like tactics in the Deep South, trying to undermine the ability of African Americans [3:20:26] to select the candidates of their choice. Have you been briefed on the Saudi Arabia nuclear deal [3:20:34] of the president saying, even if not, what's your report? Yeah, I have not been briefed on the so-called [3:20:39] nuclear deal with the president. And it's hard to know. He's announced how many different ceasefires, [3:20:44] Donald Trump? How many different ceasefires has he announced during the course of the reckless and [3:20:51] costly war of choice in Iran? Is there anything that he says, particularly when it relates to so-called [3:20:56] agreements that we can take seriously? And so any responsible president actually would have provided [3:21:04] a briefing through his cabinet secretaries in advance of any sort of public proclamation. But, [3:21:14] you know, this is how Donald Trump behaves. He's always chasing attention. I mean, [3:21:20] he disgraced himself after the World Cup final. Looked like the old man in a club that no one wanted [3:21:28] around. And he's the only one that couldn't figure it out. So we can't, there's nothing [3:21:34] that he's saying right now that any of us can take seriously. And that's unfortunate because he's [3:21:40] gotten us involved in a war that has now cost the lives of 18 brave service members in Iran. [3:21:47] We're getting closer to Debbie Wasserman Schultz's primary in Florida. Are you planning to endorse [3:21:54] the Congress? I'm looking forward to getting involved in the August primaries, of which there [3:22:01] will be primaries on August 4th. There'll be primaries on August 11th. And then the Florida [3:22:08] primaries will be in August 18th. And as I've said repeatedly, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz [3:22:16] has been a highly effective member of the United States Congress and a valuable member of both the [3:22:24] leadership team and the House Democratic Caucus. And I have more to say about that race and some [3:22:31] of the other races in August where we haven't weighed in yet sometime soon. [3:22:35] Exactly what that means is that obviously cabinet officials, but also corporations, like how are [3:22:55] the committees of jurisdiction already kind of starting to think about what Democrats can do, [3:23:00] not just thinking about who to target here, but also how are you making sure that when Democrats are [3:23:07] out on the campaign trail talking about these targets, they don't potentially over promise to [3:23:13] their constituents who or how they're making it? Our commitment to the American people is pretty [3:23:19] simple. We will hold the crooks accountable. That's exactly what the American people want to see done [3:23:26] because the corruption that has occurred over the last 18 plus months is out of control. [3:23:32] The most corrupt administration in American history is not even close in terms of who may fall second [3:23:43] in that regard. And there have been a lot of folks across this country who made the decision early [3:23:50] on to bend the knee to Donald Trump. And if they've gotten themselves involved in corrupt [3:23:56] dealings undermining the best interests of the American people, then they should be held accountable. [3:24:06] And we have a responsibility as a separate and co-equal branch of government to serve as a check and [3:24:12] balance on an out of control president and to make sure we're exposing anyone who may be working [3:24:23] with that out of control administration. In this instance, the Trump cartel undermining the best [3:24:31] interests of the American people. Look, it's clear to us that if you've got people in government who [3:24:37] are focused more on enriching themselves, their family, their friends and their big donors, then [3:24:43] they're not focused on making life better for the American people. And that's part of the problem that [3:24:47] we have right now, that we've got a president and others who've shown no interest in improving [3:24:55] the quality of life of the American people. And that's not speculative. Donald Trump has said it [3:25:02] repeatedly in his own words. Donald Trump has said the affordability crisis is a hoax. Donald Trump has [3:25:09] said he does not think about, he doesn't give a damn in my view, does not think about the personal [3:25:19] financial situation of the American people. His words, not mine. Donald Trump has said he loves the [3:25:25] inflation. Donald Trump has said we're so busy fighting wars. We don't have money for daycare, [3:25:35] Medicare and Medicaid. Donald Trump said that. And so clearly he's got other things on his mind. [3:25:44] So does the administration. So do House Republicans. This is why things have gotten worse in this country. [3:25:50] The Trump economy is a disaster. Everyday Americans are drowning in the Trump economy. And that's why [3:25:59] we're committed as House Democrats to fighting for an affordable America to make sure in this country, [3:26:06] when you work hard, when you play by the rules, you can live a comfortable life, an affordable life [3:26:13] and live the good life. And we know how that looks. Good paying job, good housing, good health care, [3:26:20] good education for your children. And then when it's all said and done, a good retirement. [3:26:25] More than 18 months into Donald Trump's presidential term, the verdict is clear. Donald Trump and House [3:26:36] Republicans have failed the American people. Costs having gone down in the United States of America, [3:26:43] costs have gone up. ICE is completely and totally out of control, spending billions of taxpayer dollars [3:26:54] to brutalize and kill American citizens and to violently target law abiding immigrants. The Trump [3:27:02] tariffs have cost the American people thousands of dollars per year in additional expense. Republicans [3:27:10] have enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history. And as a result, hospitals, [3:27:15] nursing homes and community based health centers all across the country, particularly in rural America, [3:27:22] are on the brink of closure. Republicans have refused to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, [3:27:31] putting in jeopardy the health insurance of more than 20 million Americans and causing premiums to [3:27:38] to skyrocket. In some instances, more than $1,000 in additional expense per month. Donald Trump and [3:27:49] Republicans have launched a reckless war of choice in the Middle East that hasn't made America safer, [3:27:59] but that has resulted in the tragic death of 18 brave service members. Hundreds more have been seriously [3:28:11] injured, including confronting the possibility of traumatic brain injury for the rest of their lives. [3:28:24] More than $100 billion in taxpayer money has been wasted by Donald Trump over in the Middle East, [3:28:32] a war that he promised never to get us into. And yet one of the main things that has changed as a result [3:28:42] of that reckless and costly war of choice operation epic failure is that gas prices have dramatically [3:28:52] increased and are now north of $4.18 per gallon across the country. Donald Trump and Republicans [3:29:03] have failed the American people, which is why they clearly are on the run and are on the verge of losing [3:29:11] control of the House of Representatives. In many instances, Republicans have already lost control [3:29:19] of the Florida House of Representatives as Democrats just demonstrated once again by successfully passing [3:29:26] a war powers resolution as part of our continuing effort to bring Donald Trump's reckless war of choice [3:29:36] in the Middle East to a close. House Democrats are fighting for an affordable America. And as we return [3:29:46] home to our districts all across the country, we will make clear to the American people that our promise [3:29:54] to them is to lower the cost of groceries, gas and housing. Our promise to the American people is [3:30:04] that we will fight for affordable health care for every single American. And our promise to the American [3:30:13] people is that we will hold the crooks accountable. If you're a crook in the United States of America [3:30:23] and you've been stealing from the American people, we're coming after you so we can deliver a [3:30:33] government of the people, by the people and for the people. Questions? [3:30:39] Mr. Leader, good morning. With what's happened in Iran now, will Democrats recalibrate their message [3:30:46] on Iran? Will we see ads on Iran going into the midterm? We don't have to recalibrate our message. [3:30:52] We've been opposed to Donald Trump's reckless and costly war of choice in the Middle East from the [3:30:59] very beginning. And what's clear now is that the overwhelming majority of the American people reject [3:31:08] this war, understand it was completely and totally unnecessary, that Donald Trump promised not to start [3:31:18] forever wars, but to stop them and instead turned around and in the Middle East has done the exact opposite. [3:31:26] So we're going to continue, as we've done once again forcefully on the floor today, [3:31:31] to make clear that this Trump-Republican war in Iran needs to come to an end immediately. [3:31:48] I have complete and total confidence in Susan Del Bene, her leadership of the DCCC. And as a result of [3:31:56] that leadership, I'm confident we're going to take back control of the House of Representatives [3:32:00] in November. Thanks. Hold on, hold on, hold on. Thank you. Possibly some committee chairmanships. [3:32:13] Just curious, I know seniority has been a priority of the Democratic caucus for a long time. Do you still [3:32:19] see seniority as a factor or even the most important factor in determining who leads committees? [3:32:24] It's never been the only factor. It's always been a factor. Seniority is really experience. Experience should [3:32:33] translate into whether you've been able to deliver effectively in leading the committee. And the [3:32:42] caucus is going to work its will as we move forward. At the end of the day, we can't put the cart before [3:32:48] the horse. We got to still go out and win this thing in November. And we're going to do everything [3:32:56] possible to do just that. We have great candidates all across the country. DCCC once again just announced, [3:33:02] second quarter, we outraised the Republican National Campaign Committee. House Majority [3:33:09] PAC has had a record-breaking six months in the on-year on top of a record-breaking off-year. And clearly, [3:33:22] the environment, as repeatedly demonstrated by public opinion survey after public opinion survey, [3:33:31] most recently from Fox News, all point in the same direction. But we're not taking anything for [3:33:39] granted. We're going to keep our foot on the gas pedal, run through the finish line to try to [3:33:45] do what has to be done for the American people. And then, if we're in a position to organize, [3:33:53] heading into the majority in the 120th Congress next year, then that's what we'll do. [3:33:58] Do you agree with Zora Mamdani that the federal government should apply [3:34:05] with the ICC's arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu? [3:34:09] I haven't talked to him about this issue. He's been very vocal on the issue. I continue to maintain [3:34:18] the position that, one, we've got to figure out how to move things in a better direction [3:34:27] in the Middle East. And for me, that means a safe and secure Israel as a Jewish and democratic state [3:34:34] living side by side in peace and prosperity with an independent Palestinian state that provides dignity, [3:34:43] self-determination, and respect for the Palestinian people. [3:34:47] Today is going to be the EPA Road on Ratepayer Protection Pledge, where she says [3:34:57] AI companies are going to be making commitments to lower costs and protect consumers from the cost [3:35:03] of data centers being built in their neighborhoods. My question is, do you think that a commitment, [3:35:09] a pledge to the Trump administration is sufficient on this issue? A lot of consumers are concerned about [3:35:14] not only the economic impacts of data centers being built in their neighborhoods, but the [3:35:19] environmental impact. Is that something that you think can be subdued with a commitment or is that [3:35:25] something that Congress is going to have to do legislating? Congress is ultimately going to have to [3:35:30] legislate in this area with respect to artificial intelligence generally. We want to make sure, [3:35:38] obviously, that America can continue to lead in the race to innovate in this space, [3:35:46] while at the same period of time ensuring that we are vigilantly protecting the quality of life [3:35:54] of the American people. You know, under the leadership of Ted Lieu, Josh Gottheimer, [3:36:00] and Valerie Fouché, we have been engaging with stakeholders all across the country [3:36:07] to be prepared to actually legislate in a serious way moving forward on all of these issues, [3:36:15] because Donald Trump and the Republicans have dropped the ball. Thanks. [3:36:21] Speaker Johnson's almost taken a page out of your book lately and talking about, similarly, [3:36:26] you know, team normal versus team crazy. It's really communism. How do you break through that [3:36:31] message? It doesn't seem to be working. If you actually look at the reaction of the American people [3:36:38] in terms of who is on the verge of taking back control of the House of Representatives, these people [3:36:43] are desperate. They're flailing all over the place because Republicans have failed to deliver a single [3:36:52] thing that makes life better for the American people. In fact, what they've consistently delivered [3:36:58] is breaking promises. That's what the Republican track record shows. That's why they're [3:37:04] in deep trouble in so many ways. Republicans promised to lower the high cost of living on day [3:37:11] one. Costs having gone down, they've gone up. Republicans promised that immigration enforcement [3:37:18] in this country was going to target the worst of the worst. Instead, ICE is spending billions of [3:37:24] dollars of taxpayer money to brutalize or kill American citizens and to violently target law-abiding [3:37:32] immigrant families. Republicans promised to love and cherish Medicaid and then turned around and [3:37:39] got us involved in this reckless and costly war of choice in Iran and gas prices are skyrocketing out [3:38:00] of control in an economy that is suffocating and drowning the American people. And so I haven't really [3:38:11] followed all of the hyperbole that's come out of Mike Johnson and Steve Scalise and others, [3:38:21] because I don't think the American people are taking it seriously. And it's certainly the case [3:38:26] that the extraordinary candidates that are running in districts all across America, including Kate Conley [3:38:38] in New York, Rebecca Bennett in New Jersey, Joanna Mendoza in Arizona, three extraordinary patriotic, [3:38:48] brave women combat veterans can't be painted as anti-American. And the Republicans know it, [3:38:59] but everything else that they've tried up until this point has failed. And this effort to label us [3:39:06] as communists is going to fail as well. [3:39:36] View remains the same in terms of arriving at a spending agreement in September. We're not down [3:39:43] with the my way or the highway Republican approach has gotten them nowhere. And I don't know why they [3:39:49] continue to go back to that playbook. Even John Thune has said with respect to the Republican continuing [3:39:57] resolution related to the upcoming fiscal year, that that spending bill is dead on arrival in the [3:40:05] Senate. Chuck Schumer didn't say that exclusively. John Thune did. So Mike Johnson, House Republicans, [3:40:14] they're not even on the same page with members of their own party. The my way or the highway Republican [3:40:20] approach will continue to crash and burn. It will fail. And so our view is the appropriators should [3:40:28] sit down led by Rosa DeLauro on our side and enter into a bipartisan conversation about reaching an [3:40:37] agreement that is actually designed to meet the needs of the American people. And if that can't be done [3:40:44] in advance of September 30th, then we should enter into a bipartisan continuing resolution [3:40:50] that gives the appropriators the space to actually enact a spending bill at some point prior to the [3:40:57] end of this calendar year that lifts up the health, the safety and the economic well-being of the [3:41:06] American people. There was a meeting yesterday with the BPCC about messaging district work period. Can you [3:41:14] share what? Well, I'm thankful for all of the work that's been done by the Democratic Policy and [3:41:21] Communications Committee. On Sunday, we will be launching an effort connected to our commitment [3:41:33] to fight for an affordable America and have 100 days of action beginning this Sunday, July 26th, [3:41:42] making clear to the American people that we're focused on lowering the cost of groceries and gas [3:41:51] and housing. We're committed to a country that provides affordable health care for every American. [3:42:02] And we also are committed as Democrats to hold the crooks accountable who've been robbing the American [3:42:09] people blind. And that includes a whole lot of folks in this town and folks across the country. [3:42:18] Leader Jeffries, the DNC is deciding, you know, they're starting this discussion order the presidential [3:42:29] primaries 28th. I want to know where you are standing on that. Do you view this as like tipping [3:42:36] the balance of power in favor of one faculty or another? Yeah, it seems that the discussions [3:42:45] to date have been robust and have been comprehensive. And we'll see what they come up with over the next [3:42:52] couple of days in terms of the Rules Committee. And then ultimately, I think it has to go to the entire body [3:42:58] of the DNC at some point in August. I haven't expressed a public position other than making [3:43:03] clear. I support Jim Clyburn's view that South Carolina should clearly be play a preeminent role [3:43:17] as it has done now for several presidential cycles in terms of the early nominating process, particularly [3:43:29] in an environment where we've seen the Supreme Court unleash Jim Crow like tactics [3:43:38] in the Deep South, trying to undermine the ability of African Americans to select the candidates of [3:43:45] their choice. Have you been briefed on the Saudi Arabia nuclear deal of the presidents and even if [3:43:54] not, what's your role? Yeah, I have not been briefed on the so-called nuclear deal with the president. And [3:43:59] it's hard to know. He's announced how many different ceasefires Donald Trump, how many different [3:44:04] ceasefires has he announced during the course of the reckless and costly war of choice in Iran? [3:44:11] Is there anything that he says, particularly when it relates to so-called agreements that we can take [3:44:15] seriously? And so any responsible president actually would have provided a briefing through [3:44:24] his cabinet secretaries in advance of any sort of public proclamation. But, you know, [3:44:32] this is how Donald Trump behaves. He's always chasing attention. I mean, he disgraced himself [3:44:39] after the World Cup final. Looked like the old man in a club that no one wanted around. And he's the [3:44:48] only one that couldn't figure it out. So we can't, there's nothing that he's saying right now that any [3:44:54] of us can take seriously. And that's unfortunate because he's gotten us involved in a war that has [3:45:00] now cost the lives of 18 brave service members in Iran. I'm looking forward to getting involved in [3:45:17] the August primaries of which there will be primaries on August 4th. There'll be primaries [3:45:24] on August 11th. And then the Florida primaries will be in August 18th. And as I've said repeatedly, [3:45:32] Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz has been a highly effective member of the United States [3:45:39] Congress and a valuable member of both the leadership team and the House Democratic Caucus. [3:45:46] And I have more to say about that race and some of the other races in August where we haven't weighed [3:45:52] in yet sometime soon. [3:45:56] The question is going after an option. Can you clarify exactly what that means? Is that [3:46:09] obviously cabinet officials, but also corporations, like how are the committees of jurisdiction [3:46:15] already kind of starting to think about what Democrats to do? Not just thinking about who to target here, [3:46:21] but also how are you making sure that when Democrats are out on the campaign trail talking about [3:46:27] these targets? They don't potentially over promise to their constituents who or how they're making. [3:46:35] Our commitment to the American people is pretty simple. We will hold the crooks accountable. [3:46:41] That's exactly what the American people want to see done because the corruption that has occurred [3:46:46] over the last 18 plus months is out of control. The most corrupt administration in American history. [3:46:56] It's not even close in terms of who may fall second in that regard. And there have been a lot of folks [3:47:05] across this country who made the decision early on to bend the knee to Donald Trump. And if they've [3:47:12] gotten themselves involved in corrupt dealings undermining the best interests of the American people, [3:47:21] then they should be held accountable. And we have a responsibility as a separate and co-equal branch of [3:47:27] government to serve as a check and balance on an out of control president and to make sure we're exposing [3:47:38] anyone who may be working with that out of control administration. In this instance, the Trump cartel [3:47:47] undermining the best interests of the American people. Look, it's clear to us that if you've got people [3:47:54] in government who are focused more on enriching themselves, their family, their friends and their big [3:48:01] donors, then they're not focused on making life better for the American people. And that's part of [3:48:05] the problem that we have right now that we've got a president and others who've shown no interest in [3:48:12] improving the quality of life of the American people. And that's not speculative. Donald Trump has [3:48:20] said it repeatedly in his own words. Donald Trump has said the affordability crisis is a hoax. Donald Trump [3:48:27] has said he does not think about, he doesn't give a damn in my view, does not think about the personal [3:48:37] financial situation of the American people. His words, not mine. Donald Trump has said he loves [3:48:43] the inflation. Donald Trump has said we're so busy fighting wars, we don't have money for daycare, [3:48:53] Medicare and Medicaid. Donald Trump said that. And so clearly he's got other things on his mind. [3:49:02] So does the administration. So do House Republicans. This is why things have gotten worse in this country. [3:49:09] The Trump economy is a disaster. Everyday Americans are drowning in the Trump economy. [3:49:16] And that's why we're committed as House Democrats to fighting for an affordable America to make sure [3:49:24] in this country, when you work hard, when you play by the rules, you can live a comfortable life, [3:49:30] an affordable life and live the good life. And we know how that looks. Good paying job, [3:49:36] good housing, good health care, good education for your children. And then when it's all said and done, [3:49:42] a good retirement. More than 18 months into Donald Trump's presidential term, the verdict is clear. [3:49:52] Donald Trump and House Republicans have failed the American people. Costs having gone down in the United [3:50:00] States of America, costs have gone up. ICE is completely and totally out of control, spending [3:50:08] billions of taxpayer dollars to brutalize and kill American citizens and to violently target law [3:50:17] abiding immigrants. The Trump tariffs have cost the American people thousands of dollars per year in [3:50:24] additional expense. Republicans have enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history. [3:50:31] And as a result, hospitals, nursing homes and community based health centers [3:50:36] all across the country, particularly in rural America, are on the brink of closure. [3:50:44] Republicans have refused to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, [3:50:49] putting in jeopardy the health insurance of more than 20 million Americans and causing premiums to [3:50:56] skyrocket in some instances more than $1,000 in additional expense per month. Donald Trump and [3:51:07] Republicans have launched a reckless war of choice in the Middle East that hasn't made America safer, [3:51:17] but that has resulted in the tragic death of 18 brave service members. Hundreds more have been seriously [3:51:29] injured, including confronting the possibility of traumatic brain injury for the rest of their lives. [3:51:42] More than $100 billion in taxpayer money has been wasted by Donald Trump over in the Middle East, [3:51:50] a war that he promised never to get us into. And yet one of the main things that has changed as [3:52:00] a result of that reckless and costly war of choice operation epic failure is that gas prices have [3:52:09] dramatically increased and are now north of $4.18 per gallon across the country. Donald Trump and [3:52:20] Republicans have failed the American people, which is why they clearly are on the run and are on the [3:52:29] verge of losing control of the House of Representatives. In many instances, Republicans have already lost [3:52:36] control of the floor of the House of Representatives, as Democrats just demonstrated once again by successfully [3:52:43] passing a war powers resolution as part of our continuing effort to bring Donald Trump's reckless war of [3:52:53] choice in the Middle East to a close. House Democrats are fighting for an affordable America. And as we return [3:53:04] home to our districts all across the country, we will make clear to the American people that our promise to [3:53:12] them is to lower the cost of groceries, gas and housing. Our promise to the American people is that we [3:53:23] will fight for affordable health care for every single American. And our promise to the American people [3:53:33] is that we will hold the crooks accountable. If you're a crook in the United States of America, [3:53:41] and you've been stealing from the American people, we're coming after you. So we can deliver a government of the [3:53:53] people by the people and for the people. Questions? Mr. Leader, good morning. With what's happened in Iran now, [3:54:02] will Democrats recalibrate their message on Iran? Will we see ads on Iran going into the midterm? [3:54:08] We don't have to recalibrate our message. We've been opposed to Donald Trump's reckless and costly war [3:54:15] of choice in the Middle East from the very beginning. And what's clear now is that the overwhelming [3:54:23] majority of the American people reject this war, understand it was completely and totally unnecessary, [3:54:33] that Donald Trump promised not to start forever wars, but to stop them and instead turned around [3:54:40] and in the Middle East has done the exact opposite. So we're going to continue as we've done once again, [3:54:47] forcefully on the floor today to make clear that this Trump Republican war in Iran needs to come to an [3:54:55] end immediately. I have complete and total confidence in Susan Del Bene, her leadership of the D triple C, [3:55:13] and as a result of that leader.