Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement on Harry Reid’s announcement that he will not seek re-election to the Senate in 2016:

“Senator Harry Reid is a committed fighter for the people of Nevada, and he embodies the true definition of a thoughtful public servant and a pragmatic politician. As the leader of Senate Democrats for the past decade, he shepherded some of our greatest legislative achievements on behalf of the American people, including the Affordable Care Act and Wall Street reform.

“On a personal note, Harry Reid has stepped up to help me pass critical legislation through the Senate, from swimming pool safety to save children's lives, to my EARLY Act breast cancer legislation, which he added to the Affordable Care Act, helping young breast cancer patients and survivors. It has been an honor to get to know him and fight by his side.

“From Searchlight to the Senate, he has been a tireless advocate for improving people’s lives, advocating for comprehensive immigration reform, a higher minimum wage, and a cleaner environment.

“I look forward to working with him to advance our party’s agenda nationally and in the Congress over the next 22 months.

“He and Landra deserve all the happiness in the world, and I wish them and their family the best.”

Washington, DC – In response to Indiana Governor Mike Pence signing SB 101, a bill that could allow Indiana businesses to deny services to customers based on sexual orientation, DNC Vice Chair, President of the Association of State Democratic Chairs, New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair, and Member of the DNC’s LGBT Caucus Ray Buckley released the following statement:

“In the face of opposition from Indiana’s LGBT community, Indiana’s business community, and the majority of Americans who believe a business should not be able to refuse services to individuals because they are gay or lesbian, Governor Mike Pence and the Republican Party decided to move forward with a damaging bill that turns back the clock on the progress we have made for LGBT equality.

“By signing this blatantly discriminatory bill that will only drive business out of his state, Pence reminds every Hoosier and every American that the Republican Party is more focused on its ideological social agenda than it is on expanding opportunity for the middle class and growing our economy.

“And the fact is, Republican presidential hopeful Mike Pence is far from alone on this issue.  Jeb Bush, Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, and Marco Rubio have all voiced support for similar legislation and policies that would give businesses the right to refuse services to LGBT people. Just imagine if these politicians had the chance to bring this dangerous and divisive agenda to the White House.

“So while Republicans applaud Mike Pence for allowing Indiana businesses to discriminate against the LBGT community, Democrats will continue to stand with our community and fight for a more inclusive society in Indiana and across the country.”

Washington, DC – After House Republicans passed their budget last night, DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement:

“Budgets show the values of the people who propose them, and the latest House Republican budget shows exactly what congressional Republicans and the Republican presidential hopefuls stand for – continuing backwards policies that benefit the wealthiest few at the expense of the middle class, at the expense of our seniors, and at the expense of young people. While Democrats continue to pursue policies that help the middle class and move the country forward, Republicans campaigning for President will have to explain to voters why their party is voucherizing Medicare, freezing Pell Grants, and hurting hardworking Americans instead of building a middle class economy. These are going to be the central questions of the 2016 election, and Republicans better start attempting to explain themselves now.”

Washington – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz issued the following statement on last night’s mayoral election in Jacksonville, FL:

Congratulations to Mayor Alvin Brown on being the top vote-getter in yesterday's four-way election. I'm particularly pleased by the number of Democrats who participated in early voting. Mayor Brown has delivered for the people of Jacksonville, making the city a great place to live and work. I look forward to joining other Florida Democrats in helping the Mayor win May's runoff and earn another four years of service.

Washington, DC – In response to Senator Ted Cruz’s announcement that he will run for president in 2016, DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement:

“As the de-facto leader of the Republican Party in recent years, it is only fitting that Ted Cruz would position himself in front of the GOP’s 2016 presidential field. But Cruz’s determination to oppose and obstruct any and all attempts to help the middle class is the embodiment of what’s wrong with the Republican Party.

“Ted Cruz clearly could not understand that shutting down the government, so he could deny millions of Americans health care – and costing the economy $24 billion in the process – was not a fight worth having. He was then willing to do it over again and threaten our national security in the process.  His reckless approach to governing would make life worse, not better for Americans and he isn’t the type of fighter that America’s middle class families need.”

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement in recognition of the 5th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act:

“Today we celebrate five years since President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law.

“Republicans in Congress have voted more than fifty times to repeal or undermine this critical law. Meanwhile, potential GOP 2016 candidates – including Scott Walker, Marco Rubio, Rand Paul, and Ted Cruz – have cited repeal among their top agenda items in office. Chris Christie called the law a “failure” and Jeb Bush has said that it “doesn’t work.” Yet despite all the warnings of imminent catastrophe, it is abundantly clear: the Affordable Care Act is working.

“Under the law, more than 16 million Americans have gained health insurance, including young adults who can stay on their parents’ insurance and Americans no longer denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition. Seniors and people with disabilities have saved billions on prescription drugs, and consumers have benefitted from free preventive care and rules requiring insurance companies to spend at least 80 cents of every dollar on actual care. Importantly, health care spending is growing at its slowest rate in 50 years.

“Eight in ten consumers can now find a coverage plan for $100 or less per month after tax credits, and more than 11 million additional Americans were covered under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program than before ACA open enrollment. But millions more could have access in states that have refused to expand Medicaid, and a conservative decision by the Supreme Court in King v. Burwell could jeopardize subsidies for millions of Americans.

“Access to quality, affordable health care is one of the cornerstones of a middle class life, and Democrats are proud to have helped bring that dream within reach for more Americans. While Republicans insist on pursuing policies that would take health insurance away from millions, Democrats will continue to stand for expanded access for middle class families and those still fighting to get there.”

The Democratic National Committee mourns the loss of Rev. Willie Taplin Barrow.  Not only did she serve as our DNC Black Caucus chaplain and as a mentor to many, she was a civil rights icon in her own right.  As an activist, an organizer, an author, and a dedicated committee member, Rev. Barrow inspired and empowered generations of African Americans and women.  We will remember and carry forward her words of wisdom and encouragement.  The members of this caucus stand on her shoulders.

Washington, DC – In response to the newly released budget by Congressional Republicans, please see the below quote from the Chair of the Democratic National Committee, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz:

“Today’s House GOP budget may have a new cover page, but it still includes all of the same worn-out, top-down economic policies that have failed America’s middle class families time after time. With each ‘new’ budget, Republicans in Congress remind us they only want to pad the wallets of millionaires and billionaires, repeal the Affordable Care Act taking us back to a broken health care system, and end Medicare as we know it, hurting our seniors.  So as Congressional Republicans continue to push their backwards economic plan, Democrats will continue to fight to create more opportunity for America’s working families and to build an economy that supports our growing middle class, not the wealthy few.

“Republicans’ presidential hopefuls have already made clear that they are right in step with the backwards priorities of this House GOP budget – supporting tax cuts for the wealthy at everyone else’s expense, and I call on them to say exactly where they stand on the GOP budget that will hurt seniors and working families, and move us backwards to the failed policies of the past.”

Washington, DC– Yesterday, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown signed an historic piece of legislation into law, creating an automatic voter registration system in the state. In support of this important day, DNC Vice Chair of Voter Registration and Participation Donna Brazile released the following statement:

“The law signed yesterday by Governor Brown represents a watershed moment in expanding access to the ballot box.  Through the use of technology and innovation, states now have the tools to make voter registration more cost effective, more secure and more convenient for voters. This is what Democrats mean when we say we are fighting to expand the vote.

“We applaud the people of Oregon for bringing up to 300,000 new voters into the electoral process.  Actions like these are a stark contrast to recent laws we’ve seen come out of Republican legislatures to restrict the right to vote through strict voter ID laws, shortened or eliminated early voting periods, or limiting polling locations.

“At the Democratic National Committee we are working to ensure that every eligible voter is registered, every registered voter is able to vote, and that every vote is accurately counted. Last year we implemented the National Voter Expansion Project. This year, DNC members unanimously voted to endorse a constitutional amendment explicitly guaranteeing the right to vote, and we’re working every day to protect and expand the right to vote.”

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement on the 50th Anniversary of the March in Selma, Alabama:

“Fifty years ago, a group of determined Americans gathered in Selma, AL, and our nation would forever change as a result of their courageous actions. They were young people and students from across the South – people like Amelia Boynton Robinson, John Lewis and Hosea Williams – who organized and marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, only to be met with intolerance and violence. They were beaten, charged by officers on horseback, and attacked with tear gas.

“Fifty years ago, the images of Bloody Sunday in Selma stunned a horrified nation. With television cameras displaying images of Americans beaten and bloodied for seeking to guarantee their right to vote, the harrowing episode created a sense of urgency that for too long only mattered to those whose dignity and access to the polls were not respected. Across the country, people were compelled to take action, and within weeks legislation was introduced in Congress to right these wrongs and chart a new course for liberty and freedom in America. Within five months, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 passed both the House and Senate and was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson.

“Today, images from across the country demonstrate that the issues of half a century ago are not as far in the past as we would like to think. We still have work to do. And the critical blow dealt to the Voting Rights Act by the Supreme Court in 2013 is a sad reminder that the right to vote is one we must be ever vigilant to protect.

“The Democratic Party is proud to stand for justice, equality, and opportunity; we value and respect the right of every American to vote and to have that vote counted.

“On this 50th anniversary of Selma, we rededicate ourselves to carrying forward the mission of those who marched and stood up for justice with strength, courage, and unshakable resolve.”