Brooklyn, NY – Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference with Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Adriano Espaillat to highlight the impact of the reckless Republican budget on New York City and everyday Americans.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Good morning, I’m pleased today to be joined by Congressman Adriano Espaillat, the Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and someone who will be delivering the Spanish-language address in response to President Donald Trump’s appearance before a Joint Session of Congress on Tuesday.

Earlier this week, House Republicans passed a budget resolution that sets in motion the largest Medicaid cut in American history. Children will be devastated in the city of New York and beyond. Families will be devastated. Seniors will be devastated. Everyday Americans with disabilities will be devastated. Hospitals will potentially close here in New York State, in rural America and across the country. And nursing homes will certainly be shut down. Every single House Democrat from New York City, from New York State and across the country opposed this reckless Republican budget, and we will continue to do so as long as the health care of the American people is being targeted, as long as nutritional assistance for children and families is being targeted by the extreme MAGA Republicans. And we will certainly continue to stand up for Head Start and for Meals on Wheels and for veterans benefits and for the things that are important to everyday Americans.

The cost of living here in New York City and across the country is far too high. America is too expensive. Housing costs are too high. Grocery costs are too high. Childcare costs are too high. Insurance costs are too high. And utility costs are too high. Cost of living is too high here in New York City and across the country. President Donald Trump promised to do something about it. In fact, he promised the American people that grocery costs would go down on day one. But costs aren’t going down, they’re going up. Inflation is up. Why? Because Donald Trump and the Republicans aren’t focused on addressing the high cost of living in the United States of America. Instead, they are focused on jamming their extreme, reckless and harmful budget down the throats of the American people.

Full press conference can be watched here.