Trump's First 100 Days
Floor Speech
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Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I thank so much my esteemed colleagues, Representative Kamlager-Dove and Representative Brown, for their leadership in tonight's CBC Special Order hour. It is the most opportune time for us to be able to talk directly to the American people about the truth of this White House and its administration.
Mr. Speaker, last week marked the first 100 days of the second Trump administration, and on behalf of my constituents in Georgia and an ever-growing number of American people, I am here tonight to continue speaking out against the chaos, the division, and the indefensible hatred that is being sown by this President and this administration.
Just over 100 days in and the American people are exceedingly worried and exhausted. They are exhausted by the uncertainty that has defined this Presidency. They are fatigued by the endless cascade of bad news from every corner of our Federal Government. They are bone weary by the fear of the impact these reckless actions continue to have on our working families.
For Black Americans, in particular, the Trump administration has made direct attacks on our communities and emboldened extreme hatred and bigotry. The symbolism of using the Presidency to eliminate foundational programs cannot be understated. He has used the most powerful office to dismantle foundational policies and scapegoat the American citizens.
These attacks have material consequences: The uncertainty surrounding the future of longstanding Federal programs harms the most vulnerable populations that we serve.
Just last week, I toured a Head Start site in my home State of Georgia and heard directly from parents and educators about the vital role these childcare programs play in supporting the economic success of families with young children. Head Start affords working families the peace of mind that their children will be cared for and educated during the workday.
Recent White House budget documents show that the administration has backed down, for now, in some of their attacks on Head Start and the resources that are helping our families, but we can't stop our advocacy until these programs are absolutely protected.
The continued actions of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE, to dismantle the Federal workforce also have a devastatingly outsized impact on Black Americans. Federal Government work has long been a path to upward mobility for those seeking a career in public service and the elimination of tens of thousands of positions across our Federal workforce will continue to hurt families in our communities.
I grew up in the heart of the civil rights movement. As a child, I saw my father and my mother take a stand against those who legislated against our freedoms and our rights as Americans. Mr. Speaker, 60 years later, those same forces are animating the actions of this administration. We cannot afford to go back in time. Though I know so many across the country are dealing with the feelings of exhaustion and hopelessness, we cannot grow complacent. We cannot succumb to the forces of fear, hatred, and bigotry.
The work the Congressional Black Caucus and House Democrats are taking up just reinforces our resistance to the division that we are living and seeing at this very moment. Together, we are using every legislative tool at our disposal to fight back against these reckless actions.
Mr. Speaker, I, once again, want America to know that the Democrats and the Congressional Black Caucus and all of the other tri-caucuses are fighting every single day for you. We are using our voices to speak up and sound the alarm on the harm this administration is causing communities all across this country and we are doing so with unflappable energy and determination.
As Democrats, we know that our light shines in the darkness and the darkness shall not overcome it. Just as I sang as a little girl during the civil rights movement: ``Deep in my heart, I do believe that we shall overcome someday.''
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