WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) made the following statement today after Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) denounced “liberal progressivism” in a speech to students at the University of Wisconsin.
“Stagnant wages, millions of people kicked out of their homes, and the highest level of income inequality since 1929. These are just a few of the country’s problems brought to you by Speaker Ryan and the Republican’s ‘on-your-own’ mentality. Calling progressivism ‘a con’ shows exactly how out of touch the Republican Party is with low-income and middle-class Americans.”
“The Republican Party doesn’t work for the millions of hard-working people who play by the rules. By giving tax breaks to hedge fund managers and Big Oil, the Republicans have made it clear that their priority is helping those at the top. It’s even clearer when you look at the Republican Party platform, which seeks to lower corporate tax rates and repeal the federal minimum wage, and fails to comprehensively address student debt or climate change.
“As progressives, we want to level the playing field so that all Americans can succeed and the country can prosper as a whole. That means making sure workers are paid fair wages, families have access to affordable healthcare, and students can go to college without crippling debt.”
The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) is the largest caucus within the House Democratic Caucus, with over 70 members standing up for progressive ideals in Washington and throughout the country. Since 1991, the CPC has advocated for progressive policies that prioritize working Americans over corporate interests, fight economic and social inequality, and promote civil liberties. The CPC champions progressive policy solutions like comprehensive immigration reform, a $15 national minimum wage, fair trade, gun violence reform, debt-free college, and making the federal government a Model Employer.
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