Schumer, Pelosi Announce Democratic Response to President Trump's Joint Address To Congress

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi today announced that Steven Beshear, who was the 61st Governor of Kentucky, will deliver the Democratic response to President Donald Trump’s first joint address to Congress next week. They also announced that immigration activist and DREAMer, Astrid Silva, will deliver the Spanish language response to the speech. Silva is a DREAMer from Nevada working with DREAM Big Vegas.

“American families desperately need our president to put his full attention on creating opportunity and good-paying jobs and preserving their right to affordable health care and a quality education,” former Gov. Beshear said. “Real leaders don’t spread derision and division -- they build partnerships and offer solutions instead of ideology and blame."

“President Trump would have people believe that all immigrants are criminals and that refugees are terrorists. But like my family, the vast majority of immigrants and refugees came to this country escaping poverty and conflict, looking for a better life and the opportunity to reach the American Dream. We contribute to this country every day and we are an integral part of communities across our nation. It is more important than ever that we show the American people the real faces of immigrants and that we push back on President Trump and Republicans’ plan and vision for America. Rather than separating immigrant families, President Trump should be working to create more jobs, expand access to quality affordable healthcare and education for all Americans,” said Astrid Silva. “This is a crucial time for the immigrant community and for Latinos, I am excited to be delivering the Democratic Spanish response to President Trump’s first joint address to Congress.”

“Under Governor Beshear’s leadership, Kentucky became one of the great success stories of the Affordable Care Act in delivering quality, affordable health coverage for all.  Governor Beshear is an experienced job-creator and a uniquely credible voice on the devastating consequences of Republicans’ plans to Make America Sick Again for families across America,” said Pelosi. 

“Governor Beshear’s work in Kentucky is proof positive that the Affordable Care Act works; reducing costs and expanding access for hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians,” said Schumer. “The governor is a proven leader and job creator, and knows exactly what is at risk if President Trump and Congressional Republicans repeal the Affordable Care Act without a replacement.”

Schumer added, “As a DREAMer who came to this country with her family seeking a better life, Astrid Silva embodies the exact principles upon which our country was founded. America has a grand and proud tradition of welcoming immigrants and families like hers with open arms. Her activism and steadfast commitment to fighting for a fair immigration system has been nothing short of inspiring, and I’m beyond thrilled she will be delivering the Spanish language response to next week’s speech.”

“While President Trump unleashes a cruel deportation dragnet on hard-working immigrant families, Astrid Silva personifies the values that have always made America strong,” said Pelosi.  “We are honored to have her represent Congressional Democrats in the Spanish language response.”

As governor, Beshear expanded access to affordable health care to all Kentuckians and lowered the state’s uninsured rate from over 20 percent to 7.5 percent, one of the biggest improvements in the nation. While Beshear was governor, Kentucky set records for economic activity by attracting nearly $21 billion in business investment and creating about 90,000 new jobs. Under his leadership, unemployment in Kentucky dropped from almost 11 percent to 4.9 percent.

Since leaving office, Beshear has continued to advocate on the national level for affordable health care for every American and is mentoring the next generation of political leaders on how to govern effectively. Recently named a Richard L. and Ronay A. Menschel Senior Leadership Fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, he is the author of an upcoming book, “People over Politics.”

Astrid Silva moved to Nevada with her family at the age of 5 after immigrating to the U.S. However, she spent most of her life in the shadows because she came here undocumented. In 2009, an encounter with then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid inspired her to become more active in the movement to pass the DREAM Act. Just a few short years later, Silva and a small group of dedicated DREAMers and allies formed DREAM Big Vegas, an organization that aims to educate communities about issues facing DREAMers and their families. Silva has gained local and national acclaim for her work, and was even a headline speaker at the Democratic National Convention last summer. She was named Youth Immigrant of the Year by the American Immigration Council in 2014, received the Humanitarian Award from Nevada State College (where she is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in History/Pre-Law), and was most recently named a rising Civil Rights leader by the Los Angeles Times.