Leader Schumer Floor Remarks Announcing His Joint Session Guests: New Yorkers Whose Lives And Jobs Have Been Impacted By Donald Trump’s Cruel And Chaotic Agenda, And Parents Of Two Israeli Hostages Tragically Murdered By Hamas
Washington, D.C. – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor to announce his guests to President Trump’s Joint Address: five New Yorkers who exemplify the human cost of President Trump’s cruel agenda, including fired veterans and Medicaid recipients, and the parents of two New Yorkers who were tragically murdered by Hamas on October 7th. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:
Finally, I am proud to welcome seven New Yorkers to tonight’s Joint Meeting of Congress.
These New Yorkers are examples of some of the very people who Donald Trump promised to help, but who he has left behind.
First, I am honored to welcome Emma Larson, a 12-year-old middle school student from Long Island with a rare genetic disease which has been treated thanks to NIH-funded research.
Emma was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy as a one-year old. At the time there was no cure, her parents were anguished. But thanks to research at an NIH-funded lab in Cold Springs, New York, Emma received a breakthrough drug that changed SMA’s prognosis.
Emma’s story shows why NIH funding is lifesaving, and we should stand up against any efforts to slash funding. Imagine, slashing funding to NIH, which helps people like Emma live so you can give a tax break to billionaires, who are already doing very well, thank you.
I am also proud to welcome Alissa Ellman, a disabled Army veteran, recently fired from the VA in Lockport, New York, in Western New York.
Alissa served honorably in Afghanistan, and was diagnosed with a rare cancer associated with toxic burn pit exposure.
Even while receiving treatment, she wanted to work, she wanted to serve her fellow veterans, she got a job at the Buffalo VA.
But guess what, last week, Alissa found herself locked out of her computer and later found out DOGE eliminated her position.
This woman served in Afghanistan, got [sick from] burn pits, served her country in the Veterans Administration to help other veterans. All of a sudden—no word, no notice—locked out of a computer and found that DOGE eliminated her position. Is that the golden age? For whom?
Alissa is one of the nearly 2,500 VA employees who were fired by DOGE, putting the care of our nation’s veterans at risk.
Tonight I also welcome Tiffany Ramos from Rome, New York, who worked at the USDA office in Syracuse and was fired from her job helping rural farmers and businesses across Upstate New York.
Tiffany is just one of many USDA employees fired with no notice despite years of service, leaving farmers across America wondering who is left to help them. It’s amazing. These people worked hard. There was nothing against them. They didn't get a notice saying you didn't do this, this, or this. You can improve this way, this way, that way. They're just fired. It's cruel. It's heartless. It's nasty. It's lacking knowledge and it hurts America, in this case our farmers.
I’m also proud to welcome two Medicaid recipients: Jessica Martinez and Ana Medina Garcia.
Jessica and Ana are both cancer survivors who depended on Medicaid to afford their medication and receive treatment.
And, finally, it is my honor to welcome Orna Neutra, mother of Omer Neutra, and Ruby Chen, father of Itay Chen. As we all know, Omer and Itay were tragically murdered by vicious Hamas thugs right on October 7th, the day of the massacre, the day of the invasion of Israel.
In the case of Omer’s family, it wasn’t until a year later they learned he was murdered by Hamas on October 7th. How cruel. Hamas let them worry. I met with them numerous times. Is our son alive? Is he dead? Is he okay? Is he wounded? Viciousness of Hamas, the viciousness.
As for Itay, he was taken hostage and tragically murdered by Hamas on the border of Gaza on October 7th. After months of fighting for his return, Itay’s family learned that he was also murdered that terrible day.
This is the depths of Hamas’ cruelty: for months they refused to even acknowledge that Omer and Itay has been murdered.
They kept these families in anguish, in the dark. What a horrible feeling to wonder if your child is alive or dead. And Hamas knowing it dangles cruelly the possibility they may be alive when they weren't.
The families wondered over and over again—are our children alive? Are they dead? And of course, tragically, their worst fears happened.
What Omer and Itay’s family have endured is beyond comprehension. I am inspired by their perseverance, by their resolve to keep calling for the safe return of remaining hostages, even though their loved ones are gone, and for the return of the bodies of their loved ones, which is essential by Jewish law.
There is no time to waste. I will continue working for as long as it takes to finally bring every last hostage – and the remains of the hostages no longer with us – home at last.
It is an honor to welcome all my guests to the Capitol.
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