Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On Americans’ Economic Anxiety And Republican Buyer’s Remorse
Washington, D.C. – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor, recounting the widespread frustration and economic anxiety he encountered from constituents during the state work period. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:
For the last two weeks, my Democratic colleagues and I have seen Americans’ frustration firsthand.
During the Easter recess, I travelled from one end of my state to the other. I visited six of the seven congressional districts represented by a Republican in Congress in New York.
I spoke with small business owners, seniors, health care workers, veterans, local electeds, Republicans, Democrats, independents, people from all walks of life.
People are anxious about tariffs driving up their costs, about inflation eroding their paychecks, and fearful for the future of Social Security.
Last week I met with the owner of a women’s clothing shop in Suffolk County, a well-known woman in Suffolk County and head of a very successful business, Andy’s Clothes. She was a longtime fan of the president. She said she voted for him when I was standing there, but now she said her small business wouldn't be able to absorb the shock of a prolonged trade war, and that her costs were already up 30%. This is a Donald Trump voter who is angry at these tariffs.
No one I met over the last two weeks believed we were entering the golden age Donald Trump promised.
Instead, I heard worry. I heard frustration. From Republicans, I heard a lot of buyer’s remorse.
And Republican members from those districts I visited are nervous, worried, scared as could be. They know their voters don’t agree with Trump, but they are too scared to buck him.
In the upcoming reconciliation, we'll see what they do. Will they side with Trump against what Americans need and want, or will they have a little courage? We are very, very worried about the future of this country, with so much at stake.
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