Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement on today’s jobs report:

“Today's strong jobs report is the latest proof that middle class economics works. Under President Obama, we have now experienced 60 straight months – five full years – of private sector job growth, and 12 straight months with more than 200,000 jobs added.

“Democrats are committed to ensuring that more Americans have the opportunity to share in our economic success. Access to affordable, quality health care, education, and child care, and the ability to save for retirement, are the cornerstones of a middle class life. Today, that American Dream is within reach for more Americans than when President Obama took office six years ago.

“Despite our success, Republicans want to bring back the same old trickle-down policies which contributed to the economic crisis in the first place. The GOP's potential 2016 presidential candidates have advocated for a return to the policies that have failed time and time again. Five straight years of private sector job growth suggest that our economy works best when we build it from the middle out, rather than from the top down.”

Washington, DC – Today Marco Rubio released his tax proposal.  Instead of offering anything new, the Rubio plan calls for more of the same failed, trickle-down fiscal policies of which the American people have grown tired and deserve better. In response to Rubio’s plan, DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz issued the following statement:

“At every opportunity, Marco Rubio jumps at the chance to pander to the extreme base of the Republican Party.  Rubio’s tax plan shifts the burden onto working Americans and those hurting the most while propping up the very rich and offering tax breaks for corporations.  To top it off, Rubio’s plan would increase the annual deficit.  Rather than propose a serious fiscal plan that aims to grow the middle class and expand opportunity for all Americans, Marco Rubio has assembled what amounts to a GOP donor wish list.  Marco Rubio isn’t fooling anyone.  If he seriously intends to be a fresh face for the Republican Party, then Rubio needs to go back to the drawing board and try again.”

Here are a few examples of how the Rubio tax plan would prop up corporations and the very rich at the expense of working Americans and those hurting the most:

• Cuts taxes for those at the very top while raising them for people at the bottom
• Calls for tax breaks for corporations
• Eliminates taxes on capital gains
• Previewing his plan in front of Club for Growth, Rubio stated “If I got to start our country over from scratch, I would either have a flat tax or a consumption tax.”

Washington, DC— DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement after Sen. Barbara Mikulski announced this morning that she will not run for re-election:

“I can honestly say that I wonder if I would be where I am today without Barbara Mikulski.

“She paved the way as a trailblazer for a young woman like me to run and win my first election at 26 years old. For the last four decades, there have been few stronger advocates of women’s equality than Barbara Mikulski. A few years ago, Sen. Mikulski introduced the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the first bill signed into law by President Obama. But as a woman in Congress, I appreciate that her fight to bring equality to the workplace has been fought far longer and earned the hard way.

“Millions of breast cancer patients and survivors like me cannot express how thankful we are for her leadership to ensure that health care reform included free mammograms and preventive services for women.

“In her announcement this morning, Sen. Mikulski promised that she would not run for re-election so that she could focus on ‘raising hell.’ I have no doubt that is true, and know that as women, as Democrats, and as Americans, we are better off for having Barbara Mikulski fighting on our side.”

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement on the passing of labor leader Larry Scanlon:

“I was shocked and saddened to learn of the untimely passing of Larry Scanlon. As the longtime political director of AFSCME, Larry was a dedicated advocate for America's working families. He truly believed that everyone deserved a fair shot, and devoted his life's work to ensuring that our neighbors who are often overlooked would have a voice to represent them. On behalf of Democrats across the country, I extend our thoughts and prayers to the Scanlon family and the entire labor community on their loss.”

Washington, D.C. – Today, DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement in honor of Women’s History Month:

“March is Women’s History Month, and this year’s theme is ‘Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives.’ This theme provides us an important opportunity to ensure that we, as a nation, are including the stories, struggles, and successes of women into the American narrative.

“Women have been deeply ingrained in the fabric of our nation’s history from the very beginning. From Abigail Adams’ role as unofficial adviser to the president, to Sandra Day O’Connor serving as the first female member of the United States Supreme Court, to Nancy Pelosi’s tenure as Speaker of the House of Representatives, we have come a long way.  Celebrating the women who have come before us is essential to continuing our march toward total equality for women.  We stand on these women’s shoulders, and without knowing and understanding the stories of our foremothers, we have nothing to stand on.

“The theme of this March also encourages us to recommit to always elevating women’s perspectives in the work we do building this nation, now and in the future.  This is something that I am proud to say our President and Democrats have made a priority.

“In President Obama, women have had a strong ally in the fight for economic opportunity,  affordable health care, and a fair work, life balance. The first bill our President signed into law, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, helps equip women with the legal tools they need to fight wage discrimination; with the Affordable Care Act, millions more American women now have access to quality, affordable health care without being discriminated against by insurance companies for being a woman; and a dedication to allowing parents the economic freedom to stay home with sick children so that working mothers can both take care of and afford to feed their families – Democrats have fought for policies that reflect the priorities of women and will continue to do so.

“It is no secret why Republicans continue to struggle with women voters.  They continuously either ignore the voices of women or simply stand on the wrong side of these issues and so many more that are important to women and families. They still brush them aside as ‘just women’s issues’ – forgetting that women are not a small special interest group, but in fact make up half of our nation and ‘their’ issues are family issues and economic issues. In prioritizing the wealthy and special interests, Republicans have disregarded the needs of American woman and lost sight of the cornerstones of middle class economics.

“This Women’s History Month, we recommit to never ignoring the perspectives and lives of women.  And we celebrate our progress, as well as the work still to be done, by drawing strength from the women whose stories are woven into our nation’s history.  May the women of the past be forever in our minds as we continue to break barriers and fight for full equality.  From our DNC family to yours, Happy Women’s History Month.”

Maryland State Senator Catherine Pugh is the President of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.

Who inspired you to get into politics?
I realized as a child that voting was important because my parents would get dressed up like they were going to church when they went to vote. They would announce when they were departing, “we are going to vote.”  As a result I couldn’t wait to grow up and go vote so I could be fancy like them.  My dad wore his Sunday suit and my mother would have on her glass beads or pearls, hat and gloves and a beautiful dress.  My Dad always talked about politics.  He would say if you don’t vote, don’t complain.  Voting meant to my parents participating in shaping a better life for our community.  My parents were my inspiration.

Why are you a Democrat?
My parents were Democrats.  They taught us that Democrats represented the principles that provided and opportunity for all Americans and is dedicated to equality and justice for all. I grew up in a Democratic Household with parents and grandparents who talked about the Kennedy’s and Dr. Martin Luther King like they had been our relatives.  As an elected official and a registered democrat since I was old enough to vote I too have become dedicated to the principles of this organization.  As a Democrat you don’t just root for the underdog you fight for equality of opportunity. I have embraced the principles of the Democratic Party and successfully passed over a 100 pieces of legislation that seek to expand economic opportunity, improve the lives of others, provide services for the least of us, and provide equal educational opportunities.

What advice I would you give women of color that want to run for public office?
Run! Women are underrepresented in elective office and women of color are grossly under represented.  To expand our voices we must pay more attention to the opportunities to participate in the political process.  Whenever the opportunity presents itself take advantage of it.  To learn more about the political arena seek out an elected official as a mentor.  You may volunteer or seek employment with them. Also learn more about NOBEL Women, a national organization of Black Elected Women.   Finally, be involved with your community and understand the issues that impact them so that you may fairly represent them.

What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History month is a great time to celebrate our heritage with other segments of our community.  It is a period in which we reflect on our journey as Americans and as African Americans whose history is laced with many challenges that we have overcome.

It is a reminder of how far we have come and how much further we much travel in order to achieve true equality and economic parity.

What or what inspired you to get involved in politics?
In college, I was uninterested in politics. I was taking a political science class and there was a requirement to work on a Presidential campaign. However, I was conflicted in my heart and felt that I could not work for any of the then-leading Democratic contenders: Sens. Edmund Muskie (ME), George McGovern (SD) and Hubert Humphrey (NJ). I was on the verge of failing because of this requirement; then I had the honor of meeting Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm (D-NY) during her run for the Democratic Presidential Nomination. I was the president of the Mills College Black Student Union and I had invited her to speak.  After she spoke, I began working on her campaign, become chair of her Northern California presidential campaign and a delegate for her at the 1972 Democratic National Convention in Miami, FL.

Why are you a Democrat?
Because Democrats fight for policies that advance our shared values like equality, fairness and justice for all.  Democrats believe that EVERYONE deserves a chance to live the American dream.

What advice you would give to young women of color that want to run for public office?
Get involved in issues that you are passionate about and give back to the community. Help others. Volunteer and love public service. Take a stand for those who have no voice and be their advocate.

Find a mentor and run. At every level of government we need more women and women of color in office.

What does Black History Month mean to you?
Every year, we remember and honor the tremendous legacy and contributions that African Americans have made to our nation – from science and technology to education to business to politics and beyond. It is also a time to re-focus and re-committee to the remaining work of ensuring justice and opportunity for all.

Dr. King said during his “Two Americas” speech at Stanford University on April 14th, 1967: “There are literally two Americas. One America is beautiful for situation. And, in a sense, this America is overflowing with the milk of prosperity and the honey of opportunity…. tragically and unfortunately, there is another America. This other America has a daily ugliness about it that constantly transforms the ebulliency of hope into the fatigue of despair.”

While progress has been made, there are still two Americas. Voting rights are under attack; poverty, structural inequalities and discrimination remain and our criminal justice system too often fails African Americans.

With the celebration of Black History Month, we must remember the great legacy of African Americans  but also recommit to our shared responsibility ensuring the American dream is open to all.

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement after Senate Republicans again refused to offer a clean bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security, instead offering one that’s already failed:

“I am extremely disappointed that Republicans are willing to jeopardize America’s safety by refusing to pass a clean bill funding the Department of Homeland Security. Republicans are again threatening a partial government shutdown and the American people will hold them responsible.

“Our nation’s security should not be subjected to partisan maneuvering. With the deadline rapidly approaching, Congressional Republicans must drop the gamesmanship and work with Democrats on a solution that puts the American people first instead of wasting time on a bill that’s already failed three times. Surely there must be at least one potential leader in the Republican Party who is willing to step forward and tell their party to do what is right.

“Under President Obama’s leadership we have strengthened our nation’s security. That security is too critical for Republicans to put at risk just to make a point.”