It was really a tale of two opening speeches today in the House of Representative after Mike Johnson and soon to be Felon and Sexual Assaulter in Chief Donald Trump twisted the arms of two Republican House Members to change their minds to cast the deciding votes to elevate Mr. Johnson again to the Speakership.
While Speaker Johnson's speech had several nice nuggets like the customary call to bipartisanship and saying there should be no D's and R's by members names, just U.S.A., his first address to the 119th Congress was filled with the same MAGA/America First lies, misinformation, and preoccupations on issues like the border, the rate of inflation, energy output, the state of economy, getting rid of clean energy tax credits, tax cuts, and increasing the defense budget that all political observers have grown accustomed to with the Reagan through Trump versions of the Republican Party.
However, in delivery, prose, and accuracy, it was Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries who delivered the far superior remarks, bordering on Presidential, to the 119th Congress before passing the gavel to Mr. Johnson.
Also pledging bipartisanship and a desire to come together, secure the border coupled with comprehensive immigration reform, and make middle class and working class lives affordable again, Mr. Johnson took time to credit President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for the historic accomplishments of their Administration like the 15 million jobs created, rescuing the economy from the Trump mismanaged pandemic, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, gun safety legislation, expanded health insurance for veterans, investing in clean energy, and the Prescription Drug Benefit that helped seniors.
Mr. Jeffries also earned thunderous applause from the Democrats after saying "There are no election deniers on our side of the aisle" after acknowledging Mr. Trump's victory last November and adding "You see, one should love America when you win and when you lose. That's the patriotic thing to do and that's the America that House Democrats will fight hard to preserve because we love this country."
Before the above remarks, the Democratic House Leader threw down the rhetorical gauntlet toward Republicans, telling them that while they are willing to work in a bipartisan fashion on lowering prices and immigration reform:
"At the same period of time, we will push back against far right extremism whenever necessary. So let me be clear. Social Security and Medicare not entitlement programs. They are earned benefits...So Democrats, our promise to the American People is that we will fight hard to make sure that no one in this town takes away Social Security or Medicare from the American People. Not now. Not ever. No means ever. Our position is it is not acceptable to cut Social Security, cut Medicare, cut Medicaid, cut Veterans benefits or cut nutritional assistance from children and families in order to pay for massive tax breaks for billionaires and wealthy corporations. As Democrats, we'll fight hard to protect working class Americans and the things that matter to them, not the wealthy, the well off, and the well connected. Ke
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