Florida Parish News

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) spoke alongside Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), Congressman Russell Fry (R-S.C.), and members of the House Republicans’ sophomore class to criticize the Democratic Party for what he described as a pattern of making promises that are not fulfilled. The remarks were made in Washington, D.C., marking one year since President Donald Trump’s election.

Scalise highlighted actions taken by congressional Republicans and President Trump over the past year. “We celebrate that a year ago today, Donald Trump was elected President of the United States. And when he ran, he ran on very specific things, not socialism. Seven out of seven swing states rejected that form of socialism that has now taken over the Democrat Party. What President Trump and House Republicans ran on was delivering results for American families. We said we would secure the border. We actually delivered on that in record time. We said we would prevent a tax increase on anybody, every American, no matter what income level you were at, you were facing a tax increase... We said we wouldn't do it.

“The Democrats bragged that they were going to raise your taxes. The American people decided that – not New York City – the American people, a year ago, decided they didn't want a tax increase, and we followed through on that by preventing the largest tax increase on American families. Also, by delivering no tax on tips, no tax on overtime for seniors, 85% of whom will not have to pay taxes on their Social Security income when you factor in the deduction. We delivered on that. Every Democrat, by the way, voted no because Democrats don't want hardworking Americans to keep more of their money. They want socialism.”

He criticized recent proposals associated with Zohran Mamdani and broader Democratic policies: “Let's think about those hollow promises that Zohran Mamdani talked about last night. Can anybody wait to see what those free buses are going to look like? I'm sure they're going to be incredibly safe and clean when you ride the free buses. Can anybody wait to see what those government-run grocery stores are going to look like? Shelves unstocked, expired food... That's what socialism does. Socialism always over-promises and under-delivers. But should we be surprised? That's what Democrats up here in Washington have been doing for years. Does anybody remember the Inflation Reduction Act? Yes, that was a Democrat-created product that ushered in record levels of inflation. Where was the inflation reduction? They have no problem lying to the American people. Does anybody remember, by the way, the Affordable Care Act? Yes, that was Democrats only creating current healthcare law. The law of the land in healthcare today is Democrat-only-created Affordable Care Act that's anything but affordable. All we've seen is 80% increases in costs for families, record profits for insurance companies, but 80% increases on families. Democrats have never had a problem lying to the American people, over-promising to the American people, and never delivering the goods.

“You contrast that with Republicans. Again, a year ago today, we ran on very specific things, and we've already, working with Donald Trump, ushered in a new level of American greatness...

“We're going to keep delivering wins for the American people, and Democrats will continue to give the hollow promises of socialism that come along with the failures of socialism that it truly delivers for people. Yeah, people in New York, when they realize how bad socialism is, they can just leave like they've been doing years. They can move to states like Florida, to Texas. They can even come to Louisiana. But if they ruin America, if they're able to take hold with socialism in America, where else are people going to go? There is no plan B to this great United States of America, and we're not going to let socialism take over in this great country.”

Scalise also accused Democrats of using government shutdowns as leverage: “All we're seeing during this shutdown is Democrats scared to death of the Mamdani wing of the party. They've said it. Some of them said it out loud but they have exercised it in their votes. They voted time and time again to keep the government shut down knowing they're inflicting suffering and pain on the American people admitting that they're using that suffering to try to get leverage.” He continued: “They still can't tell you what leverage is for… To go boast to the socialist Mamdani wing of their party that they're fighting Donald Trump who was elected not by people of New York or New Jersey or Virginia but by a majority of Americans 77 million Americans seven out of seven swing states running on very specific things…”

Steve Scalise has represented Louisiana’s 1st district in Congress since 2008 after succeeding Bobby Jindal; prior roles include service in both chambers of Louisiana’s state legislature from 1996 through 2008. Scalise's biography. Born in New Orleans in 1965, Scalise currently resides in Jefferson and holds a Bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University.