LEADER JEFFRIES: “THE PEOPLE’S HOUSE HAS JUST DELIVERED A DECISIVE VICTORY FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE”

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference with Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, where he emphasized that Democrats successfully passed an extension of the ACA tax credits and that Senate Republicans must work with Democrats to protect the healthcare of the American people.

LEADER JEFFRIES: The People's House has just delivered a decisive victory for the American people by extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits to prevent tens of millions of Americans from experiencing dramatically-increased health insurance premiums. The Senate said it was impossible to do. But where I'm from, difficult takes a day, impossible takes a week. And in this first full week of the new year, House Democrats, every single one of us, joined by 17 Republicans, have partnered in a bipartisan way to protect the healthcare of the American people.

House Democrats said from the very beginning that we would pour every ounce of heart, soul, spirit and strength that we have to stand up for the healthcare of the American people and to address the affordability crisis that exists in the United States of America. I'm thankful for the resolve of the House Democratic Caucus and our partnership with Senate Democrats, who made clear for months beginning in September that our commitment was to fix our broken healthcare system and address the Republican healthcare crisis, beginning with the extension of the Affordable Care Act tax credits. I'm thankful for the leadership of Katherine Clark and Pete Aguilar and Richie Neal and Frank Pallone, and every single House Democrat, including Lauren Underwood, who's been a steadfast leader and supporter of the Affordable Care Act tax credits, which are all about protecting the healthcare of working class Americans, middle class Americans and everyday Americans. And that's what House Democrats will always be about.

I'm thankful for the leadership of Senator Chuck Schumer and every single Senate Democrat who, in December, supported legislation for a straightforward three-year extension of the Affordable Care Act tax credits. And we know that that legislation has a majority of support in the United States Senate right now. Every single Senate Democrat and at least four Senate Republicans. John Thune needs to bring the bill up for a vote immediately and stop playing procedural games that are jeopardizing the health and safety and well-being of the American people.

Full press conference can be watched here.

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