Congressman Cohen Condemns Trump Attacks on “Democrat Programs” and Young GOP Leaders’ Racism

As shutdown enters third week, President makes financing the federal government a partisan issue
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-) swiftly and forcefully condemned President Trump’s attacks on “Democrat programs” he is closing down as the government shutdown entered its third week. He also addressed press reports that young Republican state leaders used racist, antisemitic and homophobic language in thousands of a group chat messages earlier this year that have now been made public. He made the following statement:
“Bills are voted in by Democrats and Republicans and the beneficiaries are Democrats and Republicans. They’re not ‘Democrat’ bills as Trump calls them; they’re American bills and American laws: SNAP payments benefit low-income people with nutritional needs. And grocers benefit from them and food manufacturers and producers benefit from them and farmers benefit from them as well as the individuals getting food for their SNAP benefits so they’re not Democrat bills; they’re American bills.
“Reports that young Republican state party leaders sent and received thousands of group chat messages expressing foul, violent and racist sentiments also must be condemned. Trump’s rhetoric has led an erosion in civil discourse. These trends must be addressed and reversed. Additionally, those responsible for permitting them must be called out and removed from positions of responsibility.”
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