WBUR: Rep. Clark, poised to become House Majority Leader, talks priorities as Democrats take Congress

Massachusetts Congresswoman Katherine Clark, the second most powerful House Democrat, is poised to help lead a sizable Democratic majority next session. Clark ran uncontested in the general election and is returning to the House for her eighth term. She joined WBUR’s Morning Edition to discuss the road ahead for her party.

Below are highlights from their conversation, which have been lightly edited.

Interview Highlights

On her top short-term goal for next year, when Democrats take control of the House…

“Restore the cuts. Restore the cuts that the Republican Party has done. Their so-called One Big Beautiful Bill that has just ravaged families and has made life so hard. So we’re talking about putting back Medicaid cuts, Medicare, veterans’ benefits and food programs across this country.

“And as I traveled around the district, and Massachusetts, and to districts throughout the country, it was the pain of people who just simply cannot afford the basics, and they are the ones that we’re going to govern for. So we’re going to do quick things, small things, and also start to work on big transformative policies, but all focused on making sure that we are fighting for those families who feel like they are drowning in this cost of living crisis.”

On California Democratic Congressman Robert Garcia’s warning to the Trump family that they should ‘lawyer up’…

“There were three planks that we ran on and connected with the American people: lower costs; healthcare that every family can afford and can find where they live when they need it; and holding the crooks accountable. And that is going to mean looking at this administration, looking at what they have done to profit personally – Trump and his family, and other figures in the administration – all at the cost of the taxpayer.”

On whether investigating the Trump administration is a misread of voters’ directive…

“I can tell you that what we have seen across the country is that voters understand, and we saw this happen last night, that corruption is tied to the cost of living. And that when people are getting enriched, when we have a system where Donald Trump came in, took away a trillion dollars from people’s healthcare, all to benefit the very wealthy, who then turned around and poured hundreds of millions of dollars into the midterms in the hopes to save it. It’s a pay-for-play scheme.”

On whether Democrats will impeach Trump…

“It is a tool on the table, but we are focused on what gives the American people the fastest relief. And we’re not taking any tool off the table, but we are going to hold people accountable and bring down that cost of living, and that is tied to corruption and the war that Donald Trump has recklessly gotten us into.”

On the prospect of becoming the first woman to serve as House Majority Leader…

“It is an incredible privilege and honor, and I’m so grateful that my district has sent me back to Congress, back to represent them. And the thought of being the first woman majority leader I see as not only something I really never dreamed of, but what a responsibility.

“And it is the voices of moms that I’ve met, of women across this country and across the commonwealth who haunt me, and the sacrifices they are making to feed their children, to try and get a pediatrician appointment, the hope that they have that they can still hopefully build a better future.

“Those are the voices that I’m going to bring to the leadership table with me, and that is the opportunity that the American voters have given us in this new Congress, the 120th Congress. And it’s one that I intend to deliver for families in this country and set an agenda for legislation that is focused on them.”

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Original article HERE.