Washington (March 4, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement tonight in response to Donald Trump’s 2025 Joint Address to Congress. Senator Markey attended the address with his guest, Chrissy Lynch, President of the Massachusetts charter of the American Federation of Labor – Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO).

“Instead of fighting for working people, Trump is selling them out to give billionaires tax breaks. He wants to gut Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act, and put that money in the pockets of Elon Musk and his ultra wealthy donors. Trump doesn’t stand with we, the people – he stands with we, the billionaires. Tonight, I brought Chrissy Lynch as my guest because she is a champion for workers in Massachusetts and throughout the country, and I will continue to be with her and the labor movement to fight for an economy that works for everyone.

“Tonight, Trump promised to cut the environmental and climate programs that keep our communities thriving, healthy, and safe from polluters and lower energy costs – all to make good on his campaign promise to Big Oil. His ongoing illegal, unconstitutional freeze of federal climate funding meant to go to red and blue communities is an attack on working families, small businesses, and job creation across the country.

“Trump used this address to attack immigrants and trans children. He traded American democracy for Russian dictatorship. He spread lies and hatred – all because he has no plan to make life healthier or safer for everyday Americans.

“The American people are facing real challenges and want real solutions – lower costs, better health care, cleaner water and air, more affordable housing, safer communities. We need to stand up to Trump, Musk, and fight to expand the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security. Fight to protect rights to contraception and abortion. Fight for comprehensive immigration reform, for our Dreamers, and a pathway to citizenship. And fight for clean energy, environmental justice, and a Green New Deal to combat the climate crisis.

“We cannot give in to the dark, hate-filled future in Trump’s address. Together, we must organize to protect our democracy and ensure a better, brighter future for America’s families.”

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