Worldwide Union of Working Engineers Native 77
Accokeek, Maryland
(April 19, 2023)
2:39 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Hiya, hey, hey. (Applause.)
Thanks, Paula, for that introduction. I admire it.
And hey, Working Engineers Native 77. (Applause.) I would notice: From the time I introduced for the USA Senate after I was a child, I had the help of the Working Engineers. I like you all. Thanks, thanks, thanks.
You guys have been based 122 years in the past. That’s not after I acquired endorsed. (Laughter.) Expert staff working every kind of development gear. There can’t be a greater place to speak concerning the progress we’ve made collectively, the way it’s working for the nation, and the way our MAGA —
By the best way, please sit down. I’ve — I’ve did not inform you — to say to you. Thanks.
You realize, I’m going to — simply to say on the entrance finish, this ain’t your father’s Republican social gathering. It is a completely different deal proper now.
And a minority of the social gathering — the MAGA — I name them MAGA Republicans — are accountable for the social gathering. They usually’re in Congress threatening to undo all of the stuff that you just’ve helped me get performed.
That’s why I’m right here at present: since you and the American folks ought to know concerning the competing financial visions for the nation which can be actually at stake proper now.
I’m right here on this union corridor with you when, simply two days in the past, the Speaker of the Home, Kevin McCarthy, went to Wall Avenue to explain the MAGA financial imaginative and prescient for America. And it’s very clear; they’ve laid it out.
I do know after I was telling you what’s going to occur — I used to be telling of us, they checked out me like, “That may’t occur.” Effectively, guess what? He’s trying to attempt to occur now.
Large cuts in packages you depend on, large profit protected for these on the high. A number of — you realize, all of the tax cuts go to the highest, none to the underside. The specter of defaulting on America’s debt for the primary time in 230 years. We’ve by no means, ever defaulted on a debt. And it will destroy this financial system.
And who do you assume it’ll harm probably the most? You — hardworking folks. The center class. The neighborhoods I acquired raised in. Not the super-wealthy or the highly effective, however working of us. And that’s what I wish to speak about at present.
You realize — and I do know the place I st- — you realize the place I stand. I make no apologies — and I imply this sincerely — for being probably the most pro-union president in American historical past. (Applause.) It’s not simply because I grew up with you all. It’s as a result of it’s true.
You realize, after I communicate to the Enterprise Roundtable and the muckety-mucks, they’re good — a number of respectable folks. The very — all of the enterprise enterprises, they take a look at me like —
(Seems at viewers on balcony.) Hey, guys, don’t leap. Okay? (Laughter.)
However all kidding apart, you realize, they take a look at me like why am I all the time speaking about unions? I say as a result of, you realize, they don’t admire how rattling onerous you all work, how rattling onerous it’s so that you can get a — to have the ability to turn out to be one thing aside from an apprentice.
It takes 4 years to coach an apprentice, similar to going again to highschool.
I inform enterprise leaders — on a regular basis I inform them — that I’m pro-union as a result of union staff are one of the best staff on the earth. And you’re the greatest. (Applause.) Not a — not a joke. That’s the God’s reality. That’s the God’s reality. You’re one of the best on the earth.
It’s higher long-term for them to rent you since you get the job performed, you get it performed on time, and, in the end, it prices them much less once they rent you.
So I’ve mentioned many occasions: Wall Avenue didn’t construct America. The center class constructed America. And unions constructed the center class. That’s a reality. (Applause.) Unions.
One of many causes I ran for President was to rebuild the spine — the spine of this nation, the center class; to develop the financial system from the center out and the underside up, not from the highest down.
As a result of when the center class does nicely, the poor have a ladder up and the rich do very nicely nonetheless. And we center class can get a shot. We do nicely as nicely.
And that’s in clear distinction to my associates on the opposite facet of the aisle nowadays. Didn’t was. Didn’t was, however it’s now.
For many years, they’ve mentioned that one of the simplest ways to develop the financial system is from the highest down — trickle-down economics. Effectively, rising up, I didn’t see a complete hell of so much trickle down on our three-bedroom home with 4 youngsters at my dad’s kitchen desk.
You realize what? Trickle-down didn’t work for us, and it didn’t work for a very long time.
And, by the best way, it’s not simply what’s been with MAGA Republicans. For the final three, 4 a long time we’ve been shedding floor.
And, you realize — and it’s hollowed out the center class, you realize, rewarding wealth, not work; rewarding corporations transferring abroad as a result of they get cheaper labor.
Have a look at all — a number of you realize — and possibly you come from neighborhoods and small cities the place — like Scranton, Pennsylvania, the place I got here from, or Claymont, Delaware, the place I got here from — the place there was a number of satisfaction as a result of we had enterprise, we had factories that have been working, working.
In Scranton and Claymont, there have been 4,500 steelworkers. There’s none at present.
And never solely do you lose the roles, you lose a way of satisfaction, lose a way of who’re you. You start to surprise: Does anyone see me? I imply it sincerely.
These of you from the Midwest, journey by the Midwest — the cities the place that they had a manufacturing facility using six to eight hundred folks, in case you lose it, you lose every little thing.
And lots of people get this — I’m not — what number of of your pals you realize of across the nation who’ve had this dialog? Their son or daughter finishes their training in highschool and involves mother and pop and says, “Mother, I can’t keep. There’s no work. I acquired to maneuver. I acquired to go away.”
And why does it — why do these jobs go abroad? Due to low-cost labor. Moderately than making the product right here in America, we’ve made it abroad, resulting in wider financial inequity and, alongside the best way, shedding one thing else, as I mentioned: satisfaction. Actually satisfaction. It issues.
My dad by no means went to varsity. My dad was an honest, honorable man. Busted his neck. However he was my dad, and he would speak about, you realize, “Everyone deserves to be handled with dignity,” with self- — recognizing their self-worth. No, I imply it sincerely. Not — not — it’s not a joke. That is one thing I really feel in my intestine, not simply my — in my coronary heart.
You realize, what number of of you realize what it’s like rising up in a neighborhood the place that manufacturing facility does shut down, the place the neighborhood will get hollowed it? It will get hollowed out, actually.
People, trickle-down economics doesn’t work. And collectively we’ve been doing every little thing we will to show issues round.
And together with your assist, one of many first issues we did was cross the American Rescue Plan with not one of many different crew voting for it. (Applause.) It helped — it helped vaccinate our nation. It delivered fast aid to of us who wanted it probably the most to get our financial system again on observe. It put small companies again in enterprise. It labored. It supplied elevated employment.
After which I signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation, making the case that to have the strongest financial system on the earth, now we have to have one of the best infrastructure on the earth. How in God’s title may we lead the world with a second-rate infrastructure? One of the best roads, one of the best bridges, one of the best airports, the cleanest water programs, high-speed Web, and a lot extra.
Are you able to consider that we was one of the best infrastructure — rated primary on the earth? You realize what we’re rated now internationally? We’re rated quantity 13 — 13 on the earth. The US of America is rated 13 on the earth.
And guess what? That’s the place — that’s the place you are available in to get us again on high.
We’ve introduced over 25,000 infrastructure tasks to date, over 4 thousand — (applause) — over 4,500 cities and cities throughout the nation, starting from ports and airports, wind and photo voltaic tasks.
Working engineers are going to be the most important — do the most important groundbreaking for brand spanking new and up to date roads and bridges and a lot extra.
As a matter of reality, the Lieutenant Governor already grabbed me for one bridge already. She grabbed me after I walked in. (Laughter.) There you might be, Gov. I don’t blame you. (Applause.)
I instructed her we view the Jap Shore of Maryland because the Western Shore of Delaware. (Laughter.) And in addition, the Bidens all come from Baltimore, going all the best way again to the early 1800s — from Baltimore.
You realize, you’re — look, you’re those which can be going to trans- — this isn’t hyperbole. It’s a reality. You’re going to remodel America. You, the working engineers, are going to remodel America. And it may possibly’t get performed with out you. With out you, it may possibly’t get performed. That’s — I imply, it’s simply — there’s sure factor that’s reality, apparent.
And so, once we — once we rebuild America — and I imply actually rebuild America — we’re going to purchase American. I — you realize, I’ve gotten a number of criticism as a result of — (applause) — there was a legislation handed within the early ‘30s that mentioned “Purchase American.” However no President has ma- — made a lot — paid a lot consideration to it.
What’s means is: The cash that Congress provides me to allocate to spend on tasks, whether or not it’s a brand new deck of an plane service or constructing an interstate freeway or a bridge — you realize, I get to say it must be American merchandise, American staff. Each federal mission constructed by American staff, utilizing American merchandise, creating American jobs is what I’ve performed since I’ve turn out to be President.
I introduced — (applause) — and, by the best way, it’s in step with worldwide buying and selling agreements. I introduced new requirements to require all development materials utilized in a federal infrastructure mission have be made in America: the lumber, the glass, the drywall, the fiberoptics, and a lot extra. And guess what? It creates jobs down the road.
And right here’s one thing else. A long time in the past, the USA used to take a position over 2 p.c of its complete gross home product — all the cash we spend — on analysis and growth. We led the world in analysis. At this time we make investments lower than 1 p.c.
We used to rank primary on the earth in analysis and growth. Now we rank quantity 9 on the earth. How within the hell does that occur?
China was quantity eight a long time in the past. At this time, they’re quantity two, and we’re quantity 9. And a number of international locations are closing in quick.
I don’t wish to want some other nation ailing, however now we have one of the best scientists, researchers, and folks on the earth. How in God’s title are we letting this occur? I’m severe. Give it some thought.
That’s why, together with your assist, I signed into legislation that — initially, after I recommended it, folks thought, “What — what are you doing?” It’s referred to as the CHIPS and Science Act.
AUDIENCE MEMBER: Sure, sir! (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: And guess what? I requested the CEOs of this firm — and I’ve met with all of them — you realize, the Fortune 500 corporations and their — et cetera. I requested them: When the USA authorities invests in a substantial quantity of sources in a brand new business, does that encourage or discourage non-public funding? To an individual, everybody says it considerably encourages the willingness to convey non-public capital off the sideline.
And that’s how we’re bringing new key components of the availability chain again to America and semiconductors. As all of you realize, these are small laptop chips the dimensions of the tip of my little finger. They usually have an effect on practically every little thing in our lives, from our cellphones, our cars, fridges, probably the most subtle weapons programs on the earth. And it poses and possesses a lot extra.
I wish to remind everybody: America invented this laptop chip. We invented it by investing in going to the Moon some time in the past. Okay? And we elevated the sophistication many occasions over. We’ve made them smaller, quicker, extra highly effective.
And over time, we went from producing 40 p.c of the world’s chips right down to 10 p.c, regardless of our main the world in analysis and design.
How did that occur? I’m being — I’m being lethal earnest. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to determine this out. How did that occur?
All of us noticed throughout the pandemic when issues slowed down within the Far East, the place we imported so a lot of our laptop chips. What occurred? Folks, , didn’t know — all the sudden, the general public grew to become educated on what a provide chain is. Folks had by no means talked about it earlier than.
Provide chain is: When that manufacturing facility closes down within the — within the South Pacific, guess what? There’s not sufficient chips to construct cars in Detroit. It shut down. Households get harm.
For instance, each new automobile inbuilt America wants roughly 3,000 of those chips per automobile.
Through the pandemic, as it’s possible you’ll keep in mind, automo- — auto corporations couldn’t get sufficient of those chips. Costs went up as a result of the worth of automobiles was by the ceiling. Inflati- — greatest price for inflation.
However now, all around the nation, corporations are investing in America — not simply American corporations, however international corporations. I requested the big South Am- — I used to be at a South — excuse me — South Korean firm why they’re investing in America in laptop chips to construct the factories right here. They mentioned, “As a result of you could have one of the best staff on the earth.” They mentioned, not me. (Applause.) We do.
And guess what? It went from a comparatively small funding — you understand how a lot we’re investing now? $400 billion. $400 billion in superior manufacturing — a report quantity of funding again at dwelling in any time in our historical past.
For instance, in Ohio I visited what I name “a subject of goals,” about 1,000 acres exterior of Columbus, the place Intel has dedicated $20 billion to construct what they name a brand new chip fab — a manufacturing facility. They name them “fabs.”
And guess what? It’s going to rent a hell of lots of people. Seven thousand folks constructing it. They’re simply — and also you’re all going to paid the prevailing wage at these too. (Applause.)
And, by the best way, and the opposite 5,000 people who find themselves working time in these factories once they’re constructed — and so they’re larger than soccer fields, the dimensions of those factories — guess what? Common wage: $130,000 a 12 months. (Applause.) And you don’t want a school diploma to have the job. (Applause.)
Effectively, the identical tales up in New York State, Texas, Arizona, Idaho. Jobs for each development and working these fabs — they’re concerning the dimension, as I mentioned, of soccer fields. Jobs that pay a median of $130,000 a 12 months — everlasting. Jobs that don’t, as I mentioned, require a school diploma.
It issues.
Don’t take my phrase for it. Take heed to the current headlines of the Wall Avenue Journal — not what I name a left-wing paper. It says, “America Is Again within the Manufacturing unit Enterprise.” That’s the headline. (Applause.)
Fortune Journal — Fortune Journal headline: “Biden’s Large Manufacturing Push is Working.”
Monetary Instances: “Transformational Change: Biden’s Industrial Coverage Begins to Bear Fruit.”
People, it’s bearing fruit due to all of you, as a result of I’ve confidence in you, since you’re getting the job performed.
People, my financial plan is a blue-collar blueprint to rebuild America.
And that’s not all. I get how of us are battling inflation. I grew up in a home the place if the worth of gasoline went up, you felt it. It was a dialogue on the kitchen desk. Not a joke.
Inflation has been a world drawback due to two issues: a pandemic that disrupted these provide chains world wide; Putin’s warfare in Ukraine, which disrupted power provides and meals provides, inflicting costs of every little thing from eggs to wheat to go up.
We’ve got much more to do, however inflation has been coming down 9 months in a row. It’s down 45 p.c. And, once more, we will — now we have to do extra. It’s nonetheless a giant drawback.
The best way I take into consideration is the best way my dad talked about it across the kitchen desk. He’d say, “How a lot are your month-to-month payments? How a lot do you could have left to pay for all of the requirements once you pay your main payments? And can there be sufficient on the finish of the month simply to have just a little little bit of respiratory room — just a bit little bit of respiratory room?”
Lots of you could have been by that. Effectively, that’s why, together with your assist, I signed the factor referred to as the fla- — Inflation Discount Act. There’s extra — (applause) — greater than someday — one option to convey down the price of elevating a household or controlling a family.
That’s all the opposite bills. If you happen to can convey them down that don’t immediately — aren’t counting inflation and produce them down, it reduces the stress on you, offer you just a little little bit of respiratory room.
For instance, Americas pay — Individuals pay extra for pharmaceuticals than some other superior nation on Earth. The identical precise drug you pay extra in the USA than in France, Germany, England — wherever you go.
I’ve been combating for years as a senator and Vice President to permit Medicare to barter the worth of these medication — to barter the worth. (Applause.)
Guess what? We allowed — we allowed the Veterans Division to have the ability to negotiate worth for the veterans, however we nev- — (applause) — however that — that’s been in place, however we’ve by no means allowed Medicare to do that.
However lastly — lastly, we beat Massive Pharma. And we acquired it performed, once more, and not using a single Republican vote.
Look, it’s had a profound impression on a lot extra, and there’s a lot extra to return.
What number of of you realize anyone with diabetes? Okay, nicely, guess what? You’re now — you’re now paying 35 bucks as a substitute of 500 bucks a month for that insulin. (Applause.)
(Factors at viewers member.) God love you, man.
By the best way, you realize, once we speak about permitting folks the dignity — I used to be in Virginia about — earlier than I acquired this handed — in a city assembly. This was a few 12 months in the past. And a lady stood up. She mentioned — she didn’t break down, however she was very emotional. She mentioned, “I’ve two kids with diabetes. I don’t have sufficient non-public insurance coverage to have the ability to pay for it. We’ve got to — now we have to chop their dosage. We’ve got to commerce off.”
How do you’re feeling as a mother or father, taking a look at your youngster, realizing in case you can’t get them the drug they want, it could have an effect on their life and their very, very, very existence?
Effectively, guess what? That’s modified. One in ten Individuals has diabetes. Each day, tens of millions use insulin to manage their diabetes to allow them to keep alive.
Insulin has been round for over 100 years. And when the man invented it, he didn’t even patent it as a result of he thought all people ought to have the ability to entry it.
You know the way a lot it prices these corporations that make that insulin? Ten. T-E-N. T-E-N {dollars}. To bundle it, possibly one other greenback and a half, possibly two. However they have been charging 4 or 5, six, seven hundred {dollars} a month.
And, of us, Massive Pharma has been unfairly charging and making report earnings. Not anymore.
We started by capping the price of insulin at $35 a month for seniors. Initially, I proposed for everyone; I couldn’t get sufficient of us to — I misplaced a few Democrats. However we’re coming again at it.
And that’s not all. The legislation — and after I instructed those that it was going to be 35 bucks a month when it acquired handed final 12 months — I don’t blame them — they checked out me like, “Yeah, Joe.” It didn’t happen — till January 1, it didn’t begin.
Effectively, guess what occurs? This legislation brings complete drug prices down the mai- — the best way folks want.
What number of of you could have had most cancers or know — or know somebody who does? This legislation will cap out-of-pocket prices for seniors on Medicare at a most $3,500 [$2,000] a 12 months for each single drug they need to take. Each single drug. This 12 months. (Applause.)
And within the following 12 months, it’s a most of $2,000 a 12 months even in case you’re taking a $12,000, $14,000, $16- — $16,000 most cancers drug. It is a gamechanger.
And it’s truthful. That is nothing radical; it’s simply truthful.
They don’t need to pay these costs in different international locations.
The Inflation Discount Act additionally makes probably the most important funding in coping with local weather ever, wherever on the earth’s historical past. (Applause.)
And, by the best way — by the best way, if I can digress for only a second. Earlier than I announce my plan, which is probably the most consequential one actually within the historical past of the world. No nation has ever performed it. We’ve by no means performed — America has by no means seen it.
I went to my associates within the union motion, since you all are anxious. I perceive you. You’ve been instructed that you just work out on — on — international warming goes to price your jobs.
And I sat down with one in all my good associates, the top of the IBEW, who simply retired. I’m going to a retirement social gathering for him this week. And I laid out — I — it’s possible you’ll keep in mind listening to how I used to be getting beat — the hell getting beat out me about how I didn’t care concerning the surroundings.
After which I met with a number of you guys, met together with your worldwide presidents. And I mentioned, “If you wish to make some actual cash, that is the place you’re going to make it, since you’re going to — it’s going to assist.”
By the best way, guess what? Once we’re coping with the IBEW, they’re going to place in 550,000 charging stations — 550,000. (Applause.) And also you all are going to construct the roads and highways and the bridges that get there. It’s going generate unimaginable, unimaginable financial progress.
For instance, it additionally — households that aren’t even a part of organized labor, they get $1,000-a-year financial savings by offering a rebate once they purchase a brand new environment friendly equipment or weatherize their dwelling. They get a tax credit score for buying a warmth su- — warmth pumps, rooftop photo voltaic power. To allow them to afford to do it and so they get a tax credit score for doing it. And the long-term financial savings for them is important.
With out going into every little thing, it additionally gives tax credit for electrical automobiles, new or used, as a result of we’re satisfied that the businesses are going to maneuver.
Let me again up. I referred to as a gathering of all of the aut- — American automakers to the South Garden of the White Home final summer time — or the summer time earlier than. And I talked concerning the want for us to need to transition. And on the time, Mary Barra, who’s the president of Basic Motors, was suing the state of California as a result of they mentioned that they had an air high quality customary increased than the federal authorities. And the argument was they couldn’t do this.
Effectively, I acquired a name from her 4, 5 days later saying, “I dropped the go well with. We’ve determined we’re going to go all electrical by 2035.” (Applause.)
And guess what? We additionally put in all electrical — over the close to time period by offering important tax exemptions if you are going to buy a used or a brand new all-electric automobile. It’s a gamechanger.
And, by the best way, anyone who doesn’t assume now we have international warming, hang around with me, man. Journey to each main hearth I’ve been to. You realize extra land has burned in two years to the bottom due to international warming? Extra land due to fires as a consequence of lengthy — the — the utility poles you set up and all the remaining. All of it. Extra land has burned than all the state of Maryland.
Actually, all of the land you examine burning, from Arizona to Idaho and out West — extra land burned to the bottom, and houses within the course of, than all the dimension of the state of Maryland.
And all of you on this room are taking part in a giant — going to play a giant half. These charging stations, these roads and entry factors, and a lot extra. Since you’re going to be constructing it.
People, go searching. And our financial plan is working. We’ve created greater than 12,000 model new jobs in two years. That’s greater than any President in American historical past has created in 4 years — in 4 years. (Applause.)
Unemployment is at 3.5 p.c, close to a 50-year low. And all — for minorities as nicely. For African unemployment is — African American unemployment is down low. Hispanic. Throughout the board.
Almost 800,000 good-paying manufacturing jobs. The quickest progress in 40 years. (Applause.)
The place within the hell is it written that claims we will’t be the manufacturing capital of the world once more? I don’t — I don’t know the place that’s written. It’s going to be us. You realize this higher than anybody. It’s an all-time report for development jobs. As I mentioned, the place is it written that we will’t manufacture greater than anyone on the earth?
And, by the best way, we’ve made all this progress in a fiscally accountable manner. All of the discuss that these guys are — I’ll get to this in a second — however how they’re going to chop spending and the like?
In my first two years in workplace, I introduced the deficit down by a report $1.7 trillion. (Applause.) All we spent, nonetheless lower than $1.7 trillion.
Inflation Discount Act goes to convey down the deficit by tons of of billions extra within the a long time forward. And once more, not a single Republican voted for it.
Let me be clear once more: Below my plan, nobody incomes lower than $400,000 has seen nor will see, so long as I’m President, a single solitary penny raised of their taxes. Not a single penny.
And we have been in a position to make big progress for the nation by making the most important firms start to pay their justifiable share. You all pay your — you pay greater than your justifiable share. (Applause.) No, I’m severe.
And, by the best way, I come from the company capital of the world. I used to be a senator for 36 years in Delaware. Extra firms included in Delaware than each different state within the union. Okay? So, I’m not one in all these guys who say firms are all dangerous. They’re not. Nevertheless it’s about time they begin to pay their justifiable share. (Applause.)
Let me — let me ask you a query. Not a joke. What number of of you assume the tax system is truthful in America? (Laughter.) No, I’m severe. Effectively, guess what? You could keep in mind my speaking about — after I first acquired elected, there have been 55 of the Fortune 500 corporations that made $40 billion in revenue in 2020. And guess what? They paid zero — not a single penny — in taxes. Not a single penny.
I mentioned it was incorrect. So I did one thing outrageous. I used to be in a position to impose a 15 p.c tax. My God, 15 p.c. (Applause.) You all pay greater than that. You pay twice that. What number of development staff, firefighters, academics, cops, could be completely satisfied to pay 15 p.c?
You realize, I like these guys telling me what they worth. My dad used to have an expression. He’d say, “Don’t inform me what you worth. Present me your price range. I’ll inform you what you worth.” (Applause.)
Let me inform you what I worth in comparison with the opposite facet. Whereas I’m right here on this union corridor with you, Speaker McCarthy simply acquired completed chatting with Wall Avenue two days in the past and chatting with the USA Congress a couple of hours in the past in what we described because the MAGA’s financial imaginative and prescient. It was days earlier than Tax Day. Do you assume he instructed the rich and highly effective that it’s about time they step up and begin paying a justifiable share? Not a phrase.
Do you assume he instructed the billion-dollar corporations to cease — cease stashing earnings and tax havens out off the coast and transport jobs abroad? I didn’t hear any of that. Did you?
As an alternative, he proposed big cuts in imports and crucial packages that tens of millions of hardworking and middle-class Individuals depend on.
All of the whereas, he and the MAGA officers are individually pushing for extra tax giveaways and overwhelming advantages to the wealthiest Individuals and largest firms.
People, it’s time — the identical previous trickle-down, dressed up in MAGA clothes is worse than ever.
Let’s be clear. A plan has particulars. A plan is straight — that’s with the American folks. McCarthy comes alongside and delivers a speech with no — not a plan.
Truly, in some sense, it’s fairly easy. For instance, he talked about limiting spending. All for that, man. Let’s restrict spending.
However take a look at what he didn’t say. He didn’t inform you precisely how a lot he needs to chop. However the Home main Republican proposal will reduce essential packages — so-called discretionary spending — by 22 p.c.
That might imply reducing the quantity of people that administer Social Safety and Medicare, which means longer wait occasions; increased prices for childcare — considerably increased — preschool, school; increased prices for housing and particularly for older Individuals, folks with disabilities, households with kids, veterans. Thirty million fewer veterans outpatient visits, leaving our courageous warriors to get checkups and psychological well being providers and remedy and subsidies dis- — and substance issues out within the chilly. Tens of hundreds of individuals affected by opioid ep — the epidemic could be denied remedy they want for restoration.
The MAGA 22 p.c reduce undermines rail security, meals security, border safety, clear air, clear water. It’s not hyperbole; it’s a reality. Look it up.
MAGA Republicans in Congress needs to defund the FBI and the police. Speak about defunding. (Laughs.) They don’t just like the FBI. Possibly it arrested a few of them. (Laughter.) It’s outrageous. I imply, give it some thought. Defund the FBI?
MAGA Republicans in Congress have launched a invoice that might take meals help away from as many as 10 million youngsters — folks, 4 million kids and put them liable to going hungry within the wealthiest nation on the earth.
MAGA Republicans in Congress have launched a invoice that might take meals help away from as many as 10 million youngsters — folks, 4 million kids and put them liable to going hungry within the wealthiest nation on the earth.
MAGA Republicans in Congress help cuts in Medicaid that might result in tens of millions of individuals shedding their healthcare, together with the working poor and folks with disabilities.
And right here’s the factor. Does the painful — do these painful cuts truly assist the deficit? Do they really scale back prices? Effectively, the reply is — the sincere reply isn’t any.
The very first invoice that the Home Republicans handed was to eliminate the legislation I signed to crack down on rich tax cheats. I’m speaking concerning the multi-millionaires and the billionaires.
What does it imply? Effectively, it was estimated by all of the consultants that in the event that they saved the variety of IRS brokers — not — not doing all of your taxes however doing the extremely subtle taxes required to do the multi-billionaires and millionaires.
And guess what? It was estimated that it will in truth scale back the deficit as a result of we’d herald extra money — extra money from the super-wealthy, who would begin to pay their justifiable share. Make it simpler for the rich to get away with dishonest on their taxes — they wished to eliminate these IRS brokers.
Effectively, that’s what they proposed once more.
And, of us, whilst you pay your taxes, others aren’t. They wish to enhance the deficit and eliminate the company minimal tax, a 15 per- — 15 p.c.
Look, I wish to be sure that the $2 trillion Trump tax reduce that he handed in final time period — solely time period — for $2 trill- — (laughter). Effectively, I didn’t imply it that manner. (Laughter.) I didn’t imply it that — (applause).
However they — they wish to take that $2 trillion tax reduce that overwhelmingly helped the super- — I don’t know what number of you bought — you guys benefited from that tax reduce — to make it everlasting.
And that tax reduce, within the earlier 4 years, ballooned the deficit — ballooned the deficit by over 40 p.c. They wish to proceed it.
And, by the best way, the tax cuts didn’t assist very a lot — overwhelmingly profit the wealthiest, the most important firms, the super-wealthy households making greater than — for instance — $4 million a 12 months, acquired a median tax cuts of $175,000. How a lot did you get? (Laughter.)
MAGA Republicans in Congress additionally wish to repeal the Inflation Discount Act, which is able to enhance the deficit as a result of, proper now, permitting Medicare to barter drug costs they need to pay to supply for healt- — pharmaceuticals for the aged. Guess what? That saves the federal government $160 billion as a result of they’re paying that a lot much less. And individuals are getting the profit.
And, by the best way, the earlier administration reduce the variety of IRS brokers which can be reviewing these sophisticated tax returns. That was a part of it as nicely.
The Inflation Discount Act provides the IRS brokers they should get — the quantity — the variety of brokers they should get the taxes owed. It was estimated that it will recuperate over $100 billion in taxes owed — in the event that they’re in a position to have these brokers taking a look at them.
And, you realize, all of this reduces the debt that we — that I’ve proposed by $240 billion over the subsequent 10 years. And the MAGA Republicans wish to repeal it.
People, that’s the MAGA financial agenda: spending cuts for working- and middle-class of us — Individuals — and tax cuts for these on the high of the — the pile.
It’s not about fiscal self-discipline. It’s about reducing advantages for people that don’t appear to care — and so they don’t appear to care a lot about. It’s about discovering methods to squeeze out extra of America’s center class. They need to be getting tax reliefs themselves, not the super-wealthy.
Think about denying some veterans the Medicare they want — the medical want — the medical care they want so the massive firms can preserve paying their taxes.
I felt very strongly concerning the laws we handed. It affected the power of us to handle these of us who have been — died as a consequence or sick due to burn pits.
My son was a type of youngsters. He spent a 12 months in Iraq. I’ve been out and in of Iraq and Iran — or Iraq and Iran — however Iraq — not Iran — I misspoke — Iraq and Afghanistan over 30 occasions.
Once I noticed him when he was in Iraq — in Baghdad, he was lower than a pair hundred yards from a type of burn pits.
They’re 10 tee- — toes deep, the dimensions of a soccer subject. They usually burn every little thing in it, from jet gasoline to poisonous — a number of you guys know of us who’re firemen. How many individuals got here again with most cancers as a consequence of going into 9/11? And we lastly took care of them.
Effectively, I used to be decided to handle these youngsters. And we acquired it handed. We acquired it handed.
Think about buying and selling off much less meals inspections so the rich can have an enormous tax reduce.
Think about denying poor and disabled Individuals on Medicaid — Medicaid, not Medicare — the remedy they want for bronchial asthma and diabetes so the wealthiest Individuals can preserve dishonest on their taxes.
And, by the best way, I’m not saying each American cheats on their taxes. However you could have — now we have a thousand billionaires in America. You realize, the typical tax charge they pay? Eight. E-I-G-H[-T] p.c. Eight p.c.
I proposed a greater manner. How about beginning with Massive Oil? Guess what? We nonetheless are going to want some oil. However we made — they made a $200 billion in revenue final 12 months in the course of a world power disaster as a result of they weren’t reinvesting it in refineries.
They usually obtained, within the course of, a further $30 billion subsidy from the taxpayers. I wish to reduce these wasteful subsidies for Massive Oil, saving taxpayers $30 billion. (Applause.)
MAGA Republicans wish to shield these subsidies for Massive Oil.
We simply lastly beat Massive Pharma by giving Medicare the ability to barter decrease drug prices, and I wish to preserve going.
The MAGA Republicans in Congress wish to hand Massive Pharma again to energy — again in energy.
Simply give it some thought: We’ve got now about 1,000, as I mentioned, billionaires. Their common tax is 8 p.c, as I mentioned. It’s incorrect. That’s why I proposed a billionaire minimal tax. No billionaire ought to be paying much less for the — of a tax charge than a schoolteacher or a firefighter. (Applause.)
So, of us, right here’s what actually harmful: MAGA Republicans in Congress are threatening to default on the nationwide debt — the debt that took 230 years to build up general — general — until we do what they are saying. They are saying they’re going to default until I conform to all these wacko notions they’ve. Default. It could be worse than completely irresponsible.
It could imply cuts in Social Safety and Medicare, increased rates of interest for issues like bank cards, automobile loans, mortgages. Working folks and middle-class seniors would pay the worth for — all the financial system could be in danger.
America has by no means defaulted on our debt, which is accrued over 200 years. Let’s keep in mind: The final administration alone elevated the nationwide debt by 40 p.c in 4 years. But, each single 12 months they handed — they handed the debt restrict. Each single 12 months.
In a speech to Wall Avenue, the Speaker failed to ensure he would for — be the primary Speaker to not default on our debt. Let’s be clear, if he fails, the American folks shall be devastated not simply 10 or 20 years from now, however at present.
The Speaker likes to cite his hero, Ronald Reagan, who I knew as a result of I used to be a senator. However he doesn’t quote every little thing Reagan mentioned.
Reagan mentioned, “[Debt ceiling] brinkmanship threatens the holders of presidency bonds and people who depend on Social Safety and veterans’ advantages… And the USA has a particular accountability to itself and the world to satisfy its obligation.” He goes on to say, “It means now we have a well-earned fame [of] reliability…credibility — two issues that set us aside from [the rest] of the world.” That’s what Ronald Reagan mentioned.
Donald Trump is looking for to extend the debt restrict whereas he was doing what he was doing.
He mentioned, quote, “I can’t think about anyone ever even fascinated by utilizing the debt ceiling as a negotiating wedge.” I assume he didn’t know the brand new MAGA Republicans he bred. (Laughter.)
America — America will not be a deadbeat nation. We meet our obligations.
And I made clear to Speaker McCarthy about how we should always proceed to settle our variations. Nobody ought to do something to jeopardize the total religion and credit score of the USA of America.
As an alternative of constructing threats of default if I don’t associate with what they need, which might be catastrophic for the nation — if we don’t do it, they are saying they’re going to let default happen — take default off the desk, and let’s have an actual, severe, detailed dialog about how one can develop the financial system, decrease prices, and scale back the deficit.
I’ve laid — first time ever, I mentioned, “I’ll lay my price range on the desk by March the ninth. You lay your price range on the desk. After which we’ll negotiate.”
MAGA Republicans owe the folks the identical. Supply a plan, not speeches. Supply a price range that ranges the American folks precisely what you plan to do and the way you’re going to chop, what tax giveaways you propose to increase to the tremendous rich, what it means for the deficit.
Let me shut with this. My en- — financial plan for the center class is remodeling our financial system to be stronger, fairer, and extra modern and extra compar- — extra aggressive.
That’s the place all of you are available in. With out you, we will’t rebuild America. And, once more, that’s not hyperbo- — we can’t rebuild America with out you.
You’re a part of a daring plan to spend money on America that I’ve — and all of America, together with the locations and individuals who have been forgotten. You construct the roads, the bridges. You’re going to take all these lead pipes out of our system, make it safer to generate financial progress for the nation.
You get extra — you bought extra to do, however we made a number of progress, and we simply acquired to maintain it going.
Due to you, we’re on the transfer.
I can truthfully say — and I imply this — I’ve been doing this a very long time, however I’ve by no means, ever, ever been extra optimistic about America.
We simply have to recollect who we’re. We’re the USA of America. There’s nothing past our capability. (Applause.) Nothing we’ve ever set our thoughts to we’re not in a position to do it once we’ve performed it collectively. (Applause.)
So God bless you all. Could God shield our troops. Thanks a lot. (Applause.)
3:21 P.M. EDT