'Higher Costs On Everything From Gas To Groceries': Blumenthal Blasts Trump Over Tariffs

2 days ago

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) spoke with reporters about budget reconciliation and tariffs.

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Transcript

00:00On reconciliation, I'm sorry, on the reconciliation, I'd like to get your thoughts on this bill.

00:08This bill has a very plain and simple objective.

00:12More tax cuts to the ultra-wealthy, the billionaires and millionaires,

00:18with cuts to Medicaid and Social Security.

00:23I know it sounds repetitive,

00:25but it is the simple truth that Republicans want to shift investment and commitments

00:31from Medicaid and Social Security,

00:34which they want to slash to finance more tax cuts for the billionaires.

00:40And I think the American people are sickened and tired of this agenda,

00:47as they've shown in Wisconsin and are going to show in elections to come.

00:54Senator, what's the impact of the tariffs on your constituents?

00:58We're going to see drastically higher electricity costs in my state,

01:03already having some of the highest electricity costs in the United States.

01:10We're going to see higher costs on everything from gas to groceries.

01:15The anger is building,

01:18because people in Connecticut anticipate with fear and fury the kind of negative impact,

01:26not only at the grocery store, the gas pumps, but also at their jobs,

01:32when there is a contraction of our economy.

01:36We are heading toward a likely recession.

01:40So I'm wrong, but the combination of increasing costs

01:47and reducing numbers of jobs is going to have a drastic effect on Connecticut

01:53and on the kinds of services that are provided to people.

01:56The slashing of the Department of Education, the VA, cuts in Social Security,

02:04Medicaid will be on top of the increase in prices

02:08that are already angering people in Connecticut and across the country.

02:12What do you think it means for the midterms next year?

02:17I think that Republicans are heading toward a cliff right now.

02:22I think the likely recession combined with drastically increased prices on gasoline,

02:29groceries, rent, everything,

02:32are going to mean that Republicans are held accountable at the polls.

02:37Some of the DOJ cuts are going after PBS and NPR.

02:40Your thoughts on that?

02:42These are organizations and programs that help children learn.

02:47Republicans are slashing education.

02:52It helps children advance and take advantage of opportunities in our great country.

02:58And they're also slashing research through NIH

03:03that enables children to overcome life-threatening diseases.

03:07This administration has launched a war on children, on women, on veterans, on Americans.

03:16And Americans are going to take it out on Republicans

03:21if they continue on this really disastrous path come the next midterms.

03:27It seems like you guys have had a hard time figuring out your way forward,

03:31that perhaps letting the Republicans step back and let the Republicans make mistakes or overreach

03:37seems to be the strategy of yours.

03:39Is that fair to say?

03:42Arrogance and complacency are the mantra of the Republican Party today,

03:47and it's fed by the vanity and vengeance instinct of Donald Trump.

03:53Everything seems to be motivated by personal vengeance or vanity,

03:58and that kind of arrogance ultimately results in self-inflicted wounds.

04:04In this case, the wounds are not just to the Republican Party but to the country,

04:08and America will be up in arms come the midterms.

04:11Thank you so much, Senator.

'Higher Costs On Everything From Gas To Groceries': Blumenthal Blasts Trump Over Tariffs

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