labor rights
Top stories
Dem Rep. Explodes at House Republicans in Fiery Floor Speech: 'Stop Talking About Dr. Seuss!'
Earlier this month, Republicans cried "cancel culture!" on hearing the news that the estate of renowned children's author Dr. Seuss would be pulling six of his books from publication due to racist imagery.
Republicans and the media outlets who champion them sensationalized the decision as evidence that Democrats were seeking to "cancel" every entity from children's authors to cartoon characters.
Meanwhile, Democrats were passing the most recent wave of pandemic relief in the Senate, the bill that will now head to the House floor to pass the updated version which will promptly be sent to President Joe Biden's desk.
One Democrat—Congressman Tim Ryan of Ohio—has had enough of the Seuss talk and, in a spirited rebuke on the House floor, called on his Republican colleagues to finally help pass legislation that protects workers' rights.
Ryan was speaking in support of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which would significantly expand labor rights, when he exploded at the representatives on the other side of the aisle.
Watch below.
Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) yells at the GOP over union organizing bill: “Heaven forbid we pass something that’s going to… https://t.co/wMInkqwcNc— The Recount (@The Recount) 1615320785.0
Ryan shouted:
"Heaven forbid we pass something that's going to help the damn workers in the United States of America. Heaven forbid we tilt the balance that has been going in the wrong direction for 50 years. We talk about pensions, you complain. We talk about the minimum wage increase, you complain.
He continued:
"We talk about giving them the right to organize, you complain. But if we were passing a tax cut here, you'd all be getting in line to vote yes for it. Now stop talking about Dr. Seuss and start working with us on behalf of the American workers."
Ryan's passion was met with praise from Democrats on social media.
"Stop talking about Dr. Seuss and start working with us on behalf of the American workers." I want this on billbo… https://t.co/MKiXdIELJy— Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan Omar) 1615329181.0
Angry @TimRyan is the best Tim Ryan, as long as he’s not angry at me. https://t.co/AB84nVe0RC— Erick Sanchez (@Erick Sanchez) 1615329276.0
A whole lot of truth packed into 36 seconds from @TimRyan here. https://t.co/t7gwG7yEwp— Doug Gordon (@Doug Gordon) 1615330023.0
Hell yes. Tim Ryan goes after republicans who will not lift one demented finger to help the American worker. https://t.co/JZSwh3jl68— NastyNanciResists trump incited a violent coup (@NastyNanciResists trump incited a violent coup) 1615326334.0
Damn right. Make it plain. https://t.co/8eF3BoM6HV— Charles Booker (@Charles Booker) 1615330470.0
Republicans have recently tried to brand themselves as the "party of the working class," but their actions paint an entirely different picture. Republicans, with the help of 8 Democrats, killed chances of instituting a $15 per hour federal minimum wage in the Senate, and they've long been the party of tax cuts for the rich.
For this reason, Ryan wasn't the only one scoffing at the idea of Republicans wanting to help American workers.
Interesting. The Republican Party claims to be the party of the working class. Yet, according to a recent Pew poll,… https://t.co/TN2GzzK4ff— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1615328988.0
Republicans are arguing against the #PROAct right now. It's clear that they don't support workers in our country or… https://t.co/atjyoycnBf— Rashida Tlaib (@Rashida Tlaib) 1615319937.0
Reminder: the current minimum wage isn't enough for a full-time worker to pay the bills in any state. But Republic… https://t.co/buZfibBilQ— Robert Reich (@Robert Reich) 1615156459.0
Despite Republican objections, the PRO Act is expected to pass in the House.