“Incrementalism is a recipe for failure. If we moderate our aspirations, we cost people their lives and livelihoods. Democrats, we must meet the people’s cries with action.”

Video (YouTube)

WASHINGTON – In powerful remarks on the House floor, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) called on Democrats to meet the mandate delivered by the people with bold, transformative policies in the 120th Congress. The Congresswoman urged her party to reject incrementalism and special interests in favor of a bold agenda that delivers for workers, families, and communities too often left behind.

Congresswoman Pressley has consistently called on Democrats to meet the moment and use their new majority to govern boldly and aggressively pursue accountability for the corruption, cruelty, and harm inflicted by the Trump administration over the past two years.

A full transcript of the Congresswoman’s speech is available below and the video is available here.

Transcript: On House Floor, Pressley Calls on Democrats to Meet the Moment

November 12, 2026

U.S. House of Representatives

Mr. Speaker, I rise today for every person who dreams of a better tomorrow.

For every person who ran, voted, and organized to deliver a mandate for bold, transformative change, from Massachusetts to Texas to Mississippi.

For those who turned hope into action.

Mr. Speaker, it is so important that we fight for a more just America.

It is what we owe to every person who calls this country home.

A more just America where one job is enough and no one goes bankrupt when they get sick.

A more just America where Black men grow old, Black women birth safely, and children live, learn, and play without fear.

A more just America where people don’t have to choose between rent, medical bills, and groceries.

Some say we’re asking for too much, that we should work with the very Republicans who have used their power to exact harm.

But incrementalism is a recipe for failure.

If we moderate our aspirations, we cost people their lives and livelihoods.

Democrats, we must meet the people’s cries with action.

We cannot let money or special interests dictate our fight.

We are accountable to the people who sent us here. Period.

This is the People’s House, and we must advance the people’s agenda.

And with this supermajority on the way, it’s time we move exactly like that. I yield.

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